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Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Announced December 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic LX3
  • Replacement is Panasonic LX7
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the LX5 (10MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the LX5 (1/1.63") and K-3 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

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The LX5 was released 3 years earlier than the K-3 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LX5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the LX5 grades versus the K-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Pentax K-3

 LX5 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic LX5

 K-3 LX5 
ReleasedApril 2014December 2011Newer by 28 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LX5 and Pentax K-3

 LX5 K-3 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic LX5 offers external measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 in our brand new 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. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the LX5 compared to the K-3.

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the LX5 and K-3 is 88 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions simply by checking a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the LX5 and K-3.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The LX5 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-3 will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged LX5 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LX5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
41
you can focus manually
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
79
manual focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Street photography features
Pentax K-3 Street photography features
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
more heavy than average (271 grams)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic LX5
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-3 Travel photography advice
59
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than average (271 grams)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
60
weather proof
MP count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
low battery (560 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography factors
52
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
no Timelapse function
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
low battery (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
29
quite wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
more heavy than average (271g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX5 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Pentax K-3
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Announced 2011-12-15 2014-04-10
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" APS-C
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-90mm (3.8x) -
Max aperture f/2.0-3.3 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 4.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.20 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271 gr (0.60 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 41 80
DXO Color Depth rating 19.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 13.4
DXO Low light rating 132 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Dual
Launch pricing $294 $639