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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic G2
  • Later Model is Panasonic G5
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 G3 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Panasonic G3 versus Pentax RZ18, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is very close but the G3 (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The G3 was launched 2 months before the RZ18 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a brief view of how the G3 matches up vs the RZ18 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Pentax RZ18

 G3 RZ18 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic G3

 RZ18 G3 

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Pentax RZ18

 G3 RZ18 
RevealedJuly 2011September 2011Same age
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic G3 has outer measurements of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") having a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic G3 versus Pentax RZ18 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the G3 vs the RZ18.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the G3 and RZ18 is 83 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions only by researching a spec sheet. The pic below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the G3 and RZ18.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with the identical resolution but not the same sensor dimensions. The G3 uses the larger sensor which should make obtaining bokeh easier.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G3 Portrait photography info
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography info
70
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
36
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
75
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
lack of image stabilization
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G3 Sports photography details
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography details
46
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (270 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G3 Travel photography information
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography information
70
comes with focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (270 per charge)
71
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
environment proof
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography advice
62
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (270 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
49
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic G3
Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
70
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
comes with face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic jack
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-07-11 2011-09-12
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 160 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 336g (0.74 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 667 not tested
Other
Battery life 270 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $500 $210