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Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic FP8
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 96 x 60 x 20mm
  • Launched July 2009
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 FP8 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic FP8 versus Pentax RZ18, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the FP8 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FP8 was introduced 3 years prior to the RZ18 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FP8 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the FP8 matches up versus the RZ18 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Pentax RZ18

 FP8 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic FP8

 RZ18 FP8 
LaunchedSeptember 2011July 2009More modern by 25 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP8 and Pentax RZ18

 FP8 RZ18 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP8 comes with exterior measurements of 96mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has sizing of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FP8 versus Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the FP8 and the RZ18.

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FP8 and RZ18 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The image below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FP8 and RZ18.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax RZ18 to give you more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged FP8 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Portrait photography details
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography details
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
36
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Street photography information
Pentax RZ18 Street photography information
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (151g)
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than others (178 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Sports photography info
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography info
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Travel photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography advice
56
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (151 grams)
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than others (178g)
weather sealing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
49
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
weather sealing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Vlogging advice
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging advice
28
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (151g)
30
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (178 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
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Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP8 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-07-27 2011-09-12
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine V -
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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-128mm (4.6x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync 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
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151 grams (0.33 lb) 178 grams (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 60 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") 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 ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $300 $210