Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax RZ18
96 Imaging
37 Features
33 Overall
35


92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
- Released January 2011
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS16
(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
- Launched September 2011

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview
Below, we are comparing the Panasonic FH2 versus Pentax RZ18, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FH2 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is fairly close and they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The FH2 was unveiled 8 months before the RZ18 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the FH2 scores against the RZ18 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax RZ18 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 and Pentax Optio RZ18. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic FH2 Gallery and Pentax RZ18 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Pentax RZ18
FH2 | RZ18 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic FH2
RZ18 | FH2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2011 | ![]() | January 2011 | Newer by 8 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic FH2 and Pentax RZ18
FH2 | RZ18 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FH2 enjoys outer dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic FH2 versus Pentax RZ18 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the FH2 versus the RZ18.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FH2 and RZ18 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions only by viewing specs. The image below will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH2 and RZ18.
All in all, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Pentax RZ18 to result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FH2 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 | Pentax Optio RZ18 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 | Pentax Optio RZ18 |
Other name | Lumix DMC-FS16 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2011-01-05 | 2011-09-12 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Venus Engine IV | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 25-450mm (18.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-6.5 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 4cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 4 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.30 m | 2.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 121 gr (0.27 lb) | 178 gr (0.39 lb) |
Dimensions | 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") | 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 270 photographs | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | - | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $149 | $210 |