Panasonic LX7 vs Pentax P80: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Cameras for Enthusiasts

When evaluating compact cameras aimed at enthusiasts, it’s important to balance factors like image quality, handling, features, and price. Today, I’m comparing two distinct small-sensor compacts from different eras: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 and the Pentax Optio P80. Both were designed to be pocketable, versatile cameras with manual control options - but that’s where similarities largely end.

Having tested both extensively in studio setups and real-world shoots - ranging from portrait sessions to landscape hikes - I’ll share insights on their technology, handling, performance, and suitability across various photography disciplines. Whether you seek a no-nonsense backup camera, an everyday travel companion, or a specialized tool, you’ll get a clear picture of where each excels, and where compromises lie.

Getting to Know the Cameras at a Glance

Before diving into specifics, it helps to see their physical dimensions and ergonomics side-by-side. Here’s a visual for quick size comparison:

The Panasonic LX7 measures 111×68×46 mm and weighs 298 grams. In contrast, the Pentax P80 is noticeably more compact and lighter, at 102×59×25 mm and 125 grams. The LX7’s greater heft and thicker profile are a direct result of its larger sensor and premium build.

The LX7’s heft offers a more substantial grip and top control, which you’ll see in a moment, while the P80’s ultra-compact footprint is ideal for discreet street shooting or casual travel where every gram counts.

Design and Control Layout: Handling Matters

One of the Panasonic LX7’s flagship features was its superior manual control set - something rare in small compacts of its generation. Let’s inspect their top view design:

• Panasonic LX7: It boasts dials for aperture and shutter speed on the lens barrel and top plate, a dedicated exposure compensation dial, and customizable buttons. The layout feels inspired by DSLRs, making it highly appealing for photographers who want precise tactile control.

• Pentax P80: Controls are basic, relying mainly on menu navigation and limited buttons. No dedicated dials for manual adjustments mean exposure changes are slower and less intuitive.

In use, I found myself preferring the LX7’s physical controls - they enable faster shooting and more creative freedom without diving into menus. The P80 felt more like an advanced point-and-shoot, better suited for casual users or complete beginners.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both cameras use small sensors by today’s standards, but their technology and implementation vary:

• LX7 Sensor: 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor (7.44 × 5.58 mm) at 10 MP resolution. The CMOS sensor enables faster readouts and improved noise performance. The sensor area is approximately 41.52 mm², which is fairly large for compact cameras.

• P80 Sensor: Smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17 × 4.55 mm) at 12 MP resolution. The sensor area is about 28.07 mm². CCD sensors are known for good color depth under controlled light but generally exhibit more noise at high ISOs and slower processing speeds than CMOS.

Image Quality and Dynamic Range: Panasonic LX7 posts a DxOmark color depth of 20.7 bits and a dynamic range of 11.7 EV stops at base ISO, respectable numbers reflecting solid sensor performance. The P80 wasn’t tested by DxOmark, but its sensor is older and smaller, which translates to less dynamic range and degraded high-ISO performance.

From my hands-on tests, here’s what you can expect:

• LX7 delivers cleaner images at higher ISOs (up to ISO 6400 native, boostable to 12800), smoother gradations in skin tones, and better shadow retention. Its F1.4 lens at 24 mm also produces excellent bokeh and low-light capability.

• P80 showed noticeable noise starting around ISO 400 and aggressive noise reduction reducing fine detail at higher ISOs. Its slower F2.6 aperture and smaller sensor restrict low-light usability and shallow depth-of-field effects.

The LX7’s sensor advantage is clear in fields like portrait and night photography, while the P80 suits well-lit, casual snaps.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience: Reviewing Your Shots

Both cameras have fixed LCD screens; neither has an electronic viewfinder built-in, though the LX7 offered an optional EVF.

• Panasonic LX7’s 3.0-inch, 920,000-dot TFT LCD provides a sharp, bright display with good color fidelity and decent visibility under varying light conditions. The screen tilt is fixed but allows precise manual focusing with focus peaking.

• Pentax P80’s 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot display is a big step behind, with lower resolution and limited brightness. It makes judging focus and exposure accuracy less reliable, especially outdoors.

The LX7’s screen makes reviewing images and navigating menus much more pleasant and accurate. The P80’s low-res screen can frustrate photogs seeking critical evaluation in the field.

Autofocus System and Performance: Nail the Shot Every Time

A camera’s autofocus system profoundly impacts how reliable and fast it feels across genres.

• Panasonic LX7: 23 contrast-detection points, with face detection and continuous AF, plus tracking (though no phase detection). The AF is generally fast and accurate - especially in good light - and performs well during video and continuous shooting modes.

• Pentax P80: 9 AF points, only single AF mode; no face detection or tracking. AF can be slow and inconsistent, particularly in low-contrast or low-light scenarios.

I’ve tested both in wildlife and sports contexts. The LX7’s faster continuous shooting rate of 11 fps and continuous AF tracking help capture fleeting moments better, although neither camera can compete with dedicated sports cameras.

In real-world sports photography, both struggle with subject tracking and focus lock. For casual family sports or kids’ activities, LX7 will fare better. The P80 is best for stationary or posed shots.

Lens and Optical Excellence: Zoom and Aperture

Lens quality dramatically influences image sharpness, distortion control, and creative possibilities.

• Panasonic LX7 lens: Fixed 24-90 mm equivalent, bright aperture of F1.4-2.3 ensuring excellent low-light shooting and shallow depth of field. The 3.8x zoom range covers wide-angle to short telephoto well.

• Pentax P80 lens: Fixed 28-110 mm equivalent, slower aperture range from F2.6-5.8. The 4x zoom is more extended but compromises on brightness.

During portrait shoots, I appreciated the LX7’s faster lens for isolating subjects with creamy bokeh, as well as the sharper corners and minimized chromatic aberration. The P80 exhibited softness at telephoto lengths and struggled with background separation.

Macro lovers will like the LX7’s close focus distance of 1 cm, allowing impressive detail shots without accessories. The P80’s minimum macro focus is 10 cm, limiting tight close-ups.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged protection:

• Panasonic LX7 feels solidly built with metal construction, giving confidence for everyday use and moderate handling.

• Pentax P80 is mostly plastic, fitting its sub-$200 market position.

Neither is designed for harsh environments, but the LX7 manages better grip and slightly more durable build quality.

Battery Life and Storage

• Panasonic LX7 uses a proprietary battery pack rated for approximately 330 shots per charge. This is average but sufficient for day trips.

• Pentax P80 comes with a D-LI68 battery with unspecified battery life but likely shorter due to sensor and processor technology.

Both rely on single SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, so storage is flexible.

Video Capabilities: Is Video a Factor?

Both cameras support video, but in different leagues:

• Panasonic LX7 shoots Full HD at up to 60p with MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. Its optical stabilization helps smooth handheld footage.

• Pentax P80 records up to 720p at 30 fps but only in Motion JPEG format - a large file size, lower quality format by modern standards.

Neither has microphone or headphone ports for audio control.

For casual video, the LX7 offers a clear advantage with higher resolution, smoother frame rates, and better quality codecs.

Connectivity & Extras

• Neither camera supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS.

• Both have USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs for file transfer and viewing.

• Only Panasonic LX7 supports time lapse recording and bracketing for exposure and white balance, aiding creative workflows and HDR photography.

Price and Value Analysis

At launch, the LX7 commanded around $400, while the P80 retailed near $200. For modern buyers, used pricing reflects these tiers.

A price-to-performance ratio comparison in terms of features, handling, and image quality is:

If ultimate image and control quality matter within budget, LX7 justifies the extra investment.

Real-World Test Shots: Image Gallery Comparison

Below is a gallery showcasing samples from both cameras, across different lighting and focal lengths:

Panasonic LX7 front Panasonic LX7 screen back Pentax P80 front Pentax P80 screen back

Notice the Panasonic LX7’s richer colors, better noise control in shadows, and superior detail retention overall. The Pentax P80 images are softer, with less nuanced color and higher noise in shadows and darker scenes.

Performance Scores Summarized

The Panasonic LX7 scores higher across autofocus, image quality, ergonomics, and features, reflecting my hands-on assessment. The Pentax P80 remains an entry-level option with basic competencies.

Suitability by Photography Genre

Choosing the right camera depends heavily on your photographic interests and workflow. Here’s a genre-specific breakdown supported by performance data and field experience:

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic LX7: Tops for sharpness, skin tone rendition, and bokeh offered by F1.4 aperture. Face detection AF helps lock focus precisely on eyes.

• Pentax P80: Basic AF and slower lens reduce portrait quality; bokeh control minimal.

Winner: Panasonic LX7.

Landscape Photography

• LX7’s wider aperture aids low-light dawn/dusk shots; better dynamic range enhances shadow/highlight detail.

• P80’s smaller sensor and narrower dynamic range limit available detail.

• Neither offers weather sealing, a drawback for outdoor shooting.

Winner: Panasonic LX7.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

• LX7’s 11 fps burst and continuous AF increase keeper rates but limited reach in telephoto.

• P80 too slow and lacks continuous AF - unsuitable here.

Winner: Panasonic LX7, with reservations.

Street Photography

• P80’s smaller size and light weight make it more discreet.

• LX7 is bulkier but controls and image quality better.

Winner: Depends on priority; portability (P80) vs image quality/control (LX7).

Macro Photography

• LX7’s close focusing distance (1cm) and bright lens excel.

• P80 less suited with 10cm macro limit and slow lens.

Winner: Panasonic LX7.

Night and Astro Photography

• LX7 has superior low-light ISO performance; manual controls and exposure bracketing assist night shooting.

• P80’s limited ISO and dynamic range hinder detailed night shots.

Winner: Panasonic LX7.

Video

• Panasonic’s Full HD 60p beats P80’s 720p 30p by miles.

Winner: Panasonic LX7.

Travel Photography

• P80’s tiny body wins on ease of carry.

• LX7’s versatility and image quality favored on varied trip demands.

Winner: Depends on user priorities.

Professional Work

• LX7 provides RAW support, manual control, and quality JPEGs; suitable for quick professional applications.

• P80 lacks RAW support and fine exposure control.

Winner: Panasonic LX7.

Breaking It Down: Pros & Cons

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Pros:

• Large 1/1.7” CMOS sensor with excellent image quality
• Bright F1.4-2.3 lens ideal for portraits and low light
• Full manual controls with tactile dials and buttons
• Fast continuous shooting and effective AF tracking
• Full HD video at 60p with optical stabilization
• RAW shooting and exposure bracketing options
• Solid build and ergonomics

Cons:

• Larger and heavier than typical compacts
• No built-in electronic viewfinder (optional accessory only)
• Battery life fairly average
• No wireless connectivity

Pentax Optio P80

Pros:

• Very compact, lightweight, and portable
• Simple to use for casual shooting
• Longer zoom range (28-110mm) useful for telephoto snaps
• Basic in-camera editing features
• Affordable entry-point

Cons:

• Small 1/2.3” CCD sensor with noisy images above ISO 400
• Slower F2.6-5.8 lens reduces low-light performance
• No RAW support and limited manual controls
• Slower autofocus and no continuous AF
• Lower resolution rear screen and no viewfinder
• Weak video capabilities

My Testing Methodology and Final Thoughts

I evaluated both cameras using controlled studio charts to measure sharpness, resolution, noise, and dynamic range, followed by real-world sessions spanning controlled portrait lighting, handheld landscapes, high-speed outdoor sports, macro shoots, and nighttime scenes.

I used objective benchmarks like DxO scores where possible, supplemented with subjective analysis of color rendition, flare resistance, and handling ergonomics. I also tested the video modes on tripods and handheld, assessing stabilization and codec quality. Personal experience over thousands of hours shooting smaller compacts informs these balanced conclusions.

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

• Choose Panasonic LX7 if you prioritize image quality, manual controls, low-light performance, and video capabilities. It’s the better choice for enthusiasts seeking creative flexibility in a compact package, especially for portraits, travel, and night photography.

• Choose Pentax P80 if size and ultimate portability are your top priorities, and your photography is casual snapshots in good light. Its ease of use and affordability also suit absolute beginners or backup camera users.

Both cameras are older models, so buying used or refurb units is likely. Make sure batteries and accessories are included.

Closing Summary

In this Panasonic LX7 vs Pentax P80 comparison, the LX7 clearly leads in sensor technology, control, autofocus, and video - translating into better image quality and versatility for serious photographers. The P80, while significantly more compact and budget-friendly, performs as a basic point-and-shoot with limited creative options.

For photography enthusiasts and professionals looking for a reliable, creative pocket camera, the Panasonic LX7 remains a worthy pick years after release. The Pentax P80 shines as a simple compact for casual users, especially those favoring lightweight ease.

Choosing the right camera depends on your priorities - image quality versus convenience, manual control versus simplicity, advanced video versus casual clips. Hopefully this detailed comparison offers the insights needed to make an informed decision.

Happy shooting!

If you have questions about specific features or want advice on lenses and accessories to pair with either model, feel free to ask. I’m here to help you navigate the options and maximize your photography passion.