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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX550
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 FX580 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Panasonic FX580 and Pentax RZ18, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the FX580 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FX580 was announced 3 years earlier than the RZ18 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the FX580 matches up against the RZ18 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Pentax RZ18

 FX580 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic FX580

 RZ18 FX580 
RevealedSeptember 2011January 2009More modern by 31 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX580 and Pentax RZ18

 FX580 RZ18 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX580 comes with outer dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and 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).

Compare the Panasonic FX580 and Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the FX580 compared to the RZ18.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FX580 and RZ18 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specs. The picture here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FX580 and RZ18.

All in all, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Pentax RZ18 to give extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged FX580 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Portrait photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography advice
26
comes with face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
36
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Street photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Street photography advice
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FX580
Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FX580
Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
58
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Landscape photography details
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography details
36
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
49
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Vlogging info
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging info
30
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
30
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (178g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX580 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 Pentax Optio RZ18
Also called as Lumix DMC-FX550 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-01-27 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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), 848 x 480 (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 file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lbs) 178 grams (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $499 $210