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Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R front
Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
58
Overall
64

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R 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
  • Revealed November 2008
  • Replacement is Panasonic LX5
Sony RX1R
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Renewed by Sony RX1R II
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic LX3 versus Sony RX1R, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and RX1R (24MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and RX1R (Full frame) boast different sensor size.

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The LX3 was unveiled 5 years earlier than the RX1R and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1R being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the LX3 matches up against the RX1R in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Sony RX1R

 LX3 RX1R 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R over the Panasonic LX3

 RX1R LX3 
LaunchedJune 2013November 2008Fresher by 56 months
Screen resolution1229k460kCrisper screen (+769k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Sony RX1R

 LX3 RX1R 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic LX3 enjoys external dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Sony RX1R has specifications of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Check the Panasonic LX3 versus Sony RX1R in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the LX3 vs the RX1R.

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LX3 and RX1R is 91 and 79 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing specs. The graphic underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX3 and RX1R.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The LX3 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony RX1R will render extra detail having an extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The older LX3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography features
Sony RX1R Portrait photography features
40
focusing manually
supports RAW files
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
81
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/4,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography advice
Sony RX1R Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
heavier than competitors (265g)
66
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
above average high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (482g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography details
Sony RX1R Sports photography details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect auto focus
53
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (270 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Travel photography factors
Sony RX1R Travel photography factors
60
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (265g)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
62
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (270 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors (482 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography features
Sony RX1R Landscape photography features
52
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
missing Time Lapse mode
66
has manual focus
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (270 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging info
Sony RX1R Vlogging info
30
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
heavier than competitors (265 grams)
34
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
provides face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (482g)
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Panasonic LX3 vs Sony RX1R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Sony RX1R
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
Class Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2008-11-04 2013-06-26
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" Full frame
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-60mm (2.5x) 35mm (1x)
Max aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/2.0
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 4.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic and Optical (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.30 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/4000 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 265 gr (0.58 pounds) 482 gr (1.06 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 39 91
DXO Color Depth rating 19.6 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 13.6
DXO Low light rating 94 2537
Other
Battery life - 270 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $449 $2,798