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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced November 2008
  • Renewed by Panasonic LX5
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and RS1500 (14MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and RS1500 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The LX3 was introduced 3 years earlier than the RS1500 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the LX3 scores vs the RS1500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax RS1500

 LX3 RS1500 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic LX3

 RS1500 LX3 
IntroducedMarch 2011November 2008Newer by 28 months

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax RS1500

 LX3 RS1500 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic LX3 has external measurements of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax RS1500 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the LX3 and the RS1500.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the LX3 and RS1500 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The pic underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the LX3 and RS1500.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The LX3 having a bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax RS1500 will render greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged LX3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
40
you can focus manually
supports RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
35
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Street photography advice
60
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
more heavy than average in class (265g)
54
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography info
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography info
27
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect auto focus
37
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Travel photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography advice
60
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (265 grams)
MP count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
67
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography advice
52
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse function
40
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging details
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging details
30
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
more heavy than average in class (265g)
25
really wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax Optio RS1500
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2008-11-04 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-60mm (2.5x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 39 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 94 not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $449 $150