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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Launched November 2008
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LX5
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released February 2010
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Following is a thorough overview of the Panasonic LX3 versus Pentax W90, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the LX3 (10MP) and the W90 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the LX3 (1/1.63") and W90 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The LX3 was manufactured 15 months prior to the W90 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the LX3 grades vs the W90 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax W90

 LX3 W90 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Panasonic LX3

 W90 LX3 
ReleasedFebruary 2010November 2008More modern by 15 months

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax W90

 LX3 W90 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LX3 offers outer measurements of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax W90 has proportions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic LX3 versus Pentax W90 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the LX3 vs the W90.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the LX3 and W90 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the LX3 and W90.

Clearly, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The LX3 because of its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Pentax W90 will provide greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged LX3 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Portrait photography camera
40
manual focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography advice
Pentax W90 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
more heavy than competition (265 grams)
54
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography features
Pentax W90 Sports photography features
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect autofocus
24
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic LX3
Travel photography with Pentax W90
60
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (265 grams)
MP count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
64
weather proof
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography information
Pentax W90 Landscape photography information
52
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse mode
37
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
weather proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax W90 as a Vlogging camera
30
rather wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
more heavy than competition (265g)
25
rather wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax W90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax Optio W90
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2008-11-04 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
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 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-60mm (2.5x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.30 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 lbs) 164g (0.36 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 39 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 94 not tested
Other
Battery ID - D-LI68
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 card, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $449 $120