Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax RZ18

Here, we are comparing the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax RZ18, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FS15 was released 3 years earlier than the RZ18 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the FS15 matches up vs the RZ18 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 & Pentax Optio RZ18. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic FS15 Gallery & Pentax RZ18 Gallery.

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS15 offers external dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the FS15 and the RZ18.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the FS15 and RZ18 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements merely by going through technical specs. The photograph here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FS15 and RZ18.

As you can tell, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax RZ18 to provide more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older FS15 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.