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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Introduced February 2019
Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Launched September 2011
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic S1 and Pentax RZ18, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the S1 (24MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the S1 (Full frame) and RZ18 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The S1 was manufactured 7 years after the RZ18 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the S1 grades against the RZ18 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax RZ18

 S1 RZ18 
LaunchedFebruary 2019September 2011More modern by 90 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k460kSharper screen (+1640k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic S1

 RZ18 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax RZ18

 S1 RZ18 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S1 features exterior measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") with a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S1 and Pentax RZ18 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the S1 vs the RZ18.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1 and RZ18 is 54 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to see the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the S1 and RZ18.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S1 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic S1 will deliver more detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern S1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S1
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
85
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320s)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
70
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
features focus via touch
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition (1,021g)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
lighter than competition in class (178g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S1
Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
terrible battery (380 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 Travel photography info
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography info
59
environment proofing
has bluetooth
features focus via touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
terrible battery (380 per charge)
heavier than competition (1,021 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
71
lighter than competition in class (178g)
weather proof
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography details
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography details
81
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
terrible battery (380 per charge)
49
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proof
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Vlogging camera
32
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
heavier than competition (1,021 grams)
30
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2019-02-01 2011-09-12
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 225 9
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Available lenses 30 -
Crop factor 1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 2,100k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/8000s -
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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 w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/320s -
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, H.264, H.265 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1021g (2.25 pounds) 178g (0.39 pounds)
Dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3333 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Two One
Cost at release $2,498 $210