Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-5

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic LX5 versus Pentax K-5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the LX5 (10MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the LX5 (1/1.63") and K-5 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The LX5 was brought out 13 months after the K-5 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LX5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the LX5 matches up versus the K-5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and Pentax K-5. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic LX5 Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LX5 provides outer dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic LX5 versus Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the LX5 compared to the K-5.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LX5 and K-5 is 88 and 60 respectively.

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through a spec sheet. The image here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the LX5 and K-5.

Clearly, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The LX5 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-5 will resolve more detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The younger LX5 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.