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Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
62
Imaging
60
Features
90
Overall
72
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Introduced November 2017
Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Revealed September 2011
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Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Following is a in depth assessment of the Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the G9 (20MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the G9 (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The G9 was unveiled 6 years after the RZ18 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the G9 scores against the RZ18 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Pentax RZ18

 G9 RZ18 
RevealedNovember 2017September 2011More modern by 75 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic G9

 RZ18 G9 

Common features in the Panasonic G9 and Pentax RZ18

 G9 RZ18 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G9 has got exterior dimensions of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

See the Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the G9 and the RZ18.

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the G9 and RZ18 is 62 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The image underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the G9 and RZ18.

As you can see, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The G9 with its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic G9 will provide greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The newer G9 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G9 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
76
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
36
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G9 Street photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Street photography factors
75
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes focus via touch
environment proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than others in class (178g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G9 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
terrible battery (400 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G9 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography highlights
70
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes focus via touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery (400 per charge)
71
lighter than others in class (178g)
environment sealing
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic G9
Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
76
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
terrible battery (400 shots)
49
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G9 Vlogging details
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging details
76
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic socket
30
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (178 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic G9 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G9 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2017-11-08 2011-09-12
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 225 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.83x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 20.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 658 grams (1.45 pounds) 178 grams (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 400 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Two 1
Retail cost $1,500 $210