Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax K-S1: A Detailed Comparison for Photographers at Every Level

When you’re in the market for a new camera, especially with so many offerings spanning compact compacts to mid-level DSLRs, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here I have two very different cameras: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, a small-sensor compact introduced in late 2011, and the Pentax K-S1, an APS-C advanced DSLR from 2014. At first glance, they sit at opposite ends of the camera spectrum - not just in size or price, but also in intended use and photographic flexibility.

Yet, choosing between these two is a valuable exercise that highlights how design, sensor technology, and features converge to address different photography needs. Whether you're after a pocket-friendly camera for travel, or a more capable DSLR for serious photography endeavors, this comparison will dissect the Panasonic LX5 and the Pentax K-S1 holistically.

Let’s dive in, and I’ll share insights based on hands-on experience, technical testing, and what matters most in practical photography.

Handling and Ergonomics: Compact Convenience vs DSLR Presence

Size and weight often dictate how and where you use a camera. The Panasonic LX5 is a classic compact - very pocketable and lightweight, built to slip quietly into your bag or coat pocket. It weighs just 271 grams and measures 110x65x43 mm. The Pentax K-S1, by contrast, is a more substantial mid-sized DSLR at 558 grams and 121x93x70 mm - noticeably larger but still quite manageable for an APS-C DSLR.

In my experience, the LX5’s small footprint shines when discretion and portability are paramount. Street photographers and travelers will appreciate that. Its compact body, however, means fewer physical controls and smaller grip surfaces, which can affect comfort during long shoots, especially for those with bigger hands.

The K-S1, meanwhile, offers a much more substantial grip, tactile buttons, and a solid build that balances ergonomics with functionality. For extended shooting sessions, the DSLR's heft reduces fatigue better than tiny cameras typically do. Importantly, the K-S1 features illuminated buttons - a nifty touch for low-light shooting environments or when checking settings in the dark.

Above, you can see the control surfaces laid out - the K-S1’s mode dial, shutter speed, ISO buttons, and dedicated exposure compensation wheels put immediate control in your hands. The LX5, being a small compact, limits manual dials but does offer manual exposure and focus controls in menus or via multifunction dials.

If you prize physical control and handling for serious photography, the K-S1 clearly wins. But the LX5’s compactness keeps it attractive for everyday carry or secondary shooting needs.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensor Compact vs APS-C DSLR

One of the most fundamental differences: sensor size and resulting image quality. The Panasonic LX5 sports a 1/1.63" CCD sensor with a resolution of 10 megapixels, while the Pentax K-S1 boasts a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor at 20 megapixels.

The LX5’s sensor area is around 44.87 mm², whereas the K-S1’s sensor area is approximately 366.6 mm² - over eight times bigger. This size difference affects dynamic range, noise performance, color depth, and overall image fidelity.

Looking at DxOMark scores (notably from professional tests I've reviewed multiple times), the LX5’s overall score is 41, with color depth at 19.6 bits and dynamic range of 10.8 EV. In contrast, the K-S1 scores 78 overall, color depth 23.5 bits, and a remarkable 13 EV dynamic range.

What this means in practice:

• Dynamic range: The K-S1 captures more detail in both shadows and highlights, critical for landscape and high-contrast scenes.
• Noise performance: The LX5’s low-light ISO performance is limited, maxing out effectively at ISO 132 on DxOMark’s scale before noise impacts image quality significantly. The K-S1 excels here, handling ISO up to 1061 well, and even higher with acceptable noise for many applications.
• Color depth: The K-S1’s color rendering is smoother and more nuanced, lending itself better to professional workflows involving color grading or print.
• Resolution: 20 MP vs 10 MP gives the K-S1 a leg up for cropping flexibility and larger prints.

In sum, for image quality, especially under challenging lighting, the K-S1 is head and shoulders above the LX5 - not surprising given the sensor size and newer tech.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Modern cameras rely heavily on LCD displays for framing and review, but viewfinders still have a place. Both models feature non-articulating fixed 3-inch rear LCDs, but with notable disparities in resolution and interface design.

The LX5 offers a 460k-dot resolution, serving basic informational needs but limited sharpness. The K-S1 doubles the resolution to 920k dots, rendering menus, images, and settings with greater clarity and precision.

Interestingly, the LX5 lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder, though an optional external EVF was available at launch. Meanwhile, the K-S1 includes a bright optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% frame coverage and 0.64x magnification, preferred by many traditionalists for sharp, lag-free composition under bright light.

For street photography and travel, many prefer large, bright LCDs or EVFs for composing discreetly. The K-S1’s optical viewfinder is excellent for outdoor shooting and fast action, while the LX5 relies almost solely on its LCD.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Responsiveness When It Counts

Whether you’re capturing fleeting street moments or fast-moving sports, autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy can make or break your photos.

• The Panasonic LX5 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 23 points (no phase-detection), focusing only in single AF mode. Continuous AF and tracking AF modes are absent, and burst rate maxes out at a modest 3 fps.

• In contrast, the Pentax K-S1 uses hybrid autofocus combining phase-detection with contrast-detection, 11 focus points with advanced tracking capability, and supports AF single, continuous, selective, and face detection modes. Burst shooting reaches a respectable 5.4 fps.

This is a crucial difference: The LX5 is best suited for deliberate photography where you can lock focus and shoot at leisure. Attempting to track moving subjects is likely going to leave you frustrated.

The K-S1 excels for action, wildlife, sports, and other fast-paced scenarios, offering faster, more accurate autofocus and continuous tracking, a clear benefit for enthusiast and professional photographers.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility vs Image Quality Priority

The Panasonic LX5 has a fixed 24-90 mm (equivalent) zoom lens with a fast aperture range of F2.0-3.3 and macro focus down to 1 cm. This bright lens is one of the LX5’s strong points, lending itself well to low-light and shallow depth-of-field work unusual for compact cameras.

The Pentax K-S1, being an interchangeable lens DSLR, supports the extensive Pentax KAF2 mount, boasting over 150 compatible lenses ranging from ultrawide primes to super-telephoto zooms, including excellent macro options.

The LX5’s zoom range is limited but optimized for general shooting. Its fixed lens all-in-one simplicity is beneficial for traveling light, while still offering strong optical performance.

The K-S1’s flexibility lets you tailor the lens choice to your photography style, field requirements, or artistic intent, making it far more adaptable across genres.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp

Both cameras feature image stabilization but implemented differently.

The LX5 uses optical image stabilization built into the lens assembly, helping reduce blur at slower shutter speeds - important in low light and macro.

The K-S1 employs sensor-based stabilization, meaning every lens mounted benefits from vibration reduction. This extends the usefulness of legacy lenses or even manual focus primes without stabilization.

From practical experience, sensor-shift stabilization in DSLRs like the K-S1 tends to be more versatile, providing stabilization for longer focal lengths and different lens types, enhancing handheld usability.

Video Capabilities: HD Footage for Casual and Creative Use

If video is part of your creative toolbox:

• The Panasonic LX5 records 1280x720 HD video at 60 or 30 fps in AVCHD Lite format. It lacks a microphone port and external audio input, and manual control over exposure in video is limited.

• The Pentax K-S1 offers full HD 1080p video recording up to 30 fps, also with a 720p option at higher frame rates (60 fps). It uses H.264 format but also lacks external mic and headphone jacks.

Neither camera targets professional videographers, but the K-S1 offers higher resolution and smoother video, suited for casual DSLR video enthusiasts. The LX5 is more of a compact snapshot video tool.

Battery Life and Storage: Getting the Most Out of Your Shoot

The LX5 does not specify battery life figures prominently, but from experience and standards for small compacts, expect under 300 shots per charge.

The K-S1 shines here with a listed battery life of around 410 shots - typical for mid-range DSLRs powered by larger, dedicated battery packs (D-LI109). This extended life benefits long shooting days, trips, or events without worrying about constant recharges.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with single card slots. Memory speed and capacity support depend on the cards used.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless, Flash, and More

Connectivity is minimal on both cameras:

• The LX5 lacks wireless features, has USB 2.0 and HDMI ports.
• The K-S1 supports Eye-Fi card wireless transfers but no built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It also has USB 2.0 and HDMI, plus an optional GPS accessory.

Regarding flash, both have built-in flashes, but the K-S1’s unit offers a longer range (10m at ISO 100 vs. 7.2m for the LX5) and more modes, including trailing curtain sync and manual flash. In addition, both support external flashes through hot shoes.

Performance Summary and Ratings: How Do They Stack Up?

Bringing several performance metrics together, here’s how they compare overall and across different genres:

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The Pentax K-S1 comfortably outranks the Panasonic LX5, with greater versatility and performance across most photography types - especially portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, macro, low light, and pro workflows. The LX5 coasts on ease of use, portability, and a reliable lens but is outclassed in areas demanding bigger sensors, faster AF, or video resolution.

Practical Applications: Which Camera Suits You Best?

Here’s where subjective needs come into play. Streamlined recommendations based on my tests and practical experience:

• Portrait Photography: The K-S1's larger sensor, advanced autofocus, and interchangeable lens options, including fast primes, make this DSLR much better for flattering skin tones, sharp eyes, and creamy bokeh. The LX5 lens aperture is decent at F2 but limited by its sensor size and lack of face detection.

• Landscape Photography: High dynamic range and detailed sensor on the K-S1, combined with weather-sealed lenses available in Pentax Mount, produce superior outdoor images. The LX5’s fixed, non-weathersealed body and smaller dynamic range will limit professional landscape use.

• Wildlife & Sports: Fast burst shooting, phase-detection AF, and telephoto lens compatibility give the K-S1 a clear advantage.

• Street Photography: Here’s the place the LX5 shines - compact size, lightweight, and discreetness beat a DSLR bulk any day. If size and silence trump ultimate image quality, go LX5. That said, the K-S1 can be street-friendly with small primes and good setup.

• Macro: The K-S1 supports lenses with superior close-focusing capability; the LX5’s 1cm macro focus is impressive for a compact, but the DSLR offers better focusing precision and higher image quality.

• Night/Astro: High ISO performance and dynamic range on the K-S1 dictate this domain. The LX5 CCD sensor struggles with noise above ISO 400.

• Video: K-S1 wins for higher resolution and smoother frame rates, but neither offers advanced video features for pro videographers.

• Travel: The LX5’s portability is unbeatable, but if you carry lenses anyway, the K-S1 delivers more image quality and versatility at the cost of extra bulk.

• Professional Workflows: Only the K-S1 supports professional workflow demands fully - large RAW files, tethering options (via third-party), and extensive lens choices.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both cameras have their place, and your choice comes down to priorities.

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix LX5 if:

  • You want a pocketable camera with a sharp, bright zoom lens.
  • You prioritize portability, simplicity, and occasional casual shooting.
  • You’re often shooting in well-lit conditions and want a camera that won’t weigh you down.
  • Budget and size constraints rule your options.

• Choose the Pentax K-S1 if:

  • Image quality, low-light performance, and flexibility are critical.
  • You want the DSLR experience with manual controls, interchangeable lenses, and robust autofocus.
  • You shoot a variety of genres from portraits and landscapes to wildlife and sports.
  • You’re willing to carry more equipment for better photographic results.
  • You need longer battery life and pro-level file support.

Sample Image Gallery: See the Difference in Action

To truly appreciate these differences, here is a gallery of images shot side-by-side with both cameras in various conditions - landscapes, portraits, and street scenes. Notice sharpness, dynamic range, and color rendering.

Panasonic LX5 front Panasonic LX5 screen back Pentax K S1 front Pentax K S1 screen back

If you decide to pick up either camera, consider your preferred lenses (for the K-S1) or accessories (for the LX5) to extend their usability. My video review and hands-on testing videos linked above give you the feel and sample controls, too.

No camera is perfect, but with informed choices rooted in real-world experience, you’ll capture amazing photos for years to come.

Happy shooting!