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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • New Model is Panasonic GF2
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 GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the GF1 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the GF1 (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The GF1 was revealed 23 months prior to the RZ18 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the GF1 scores versus the RZ18 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Pentax RZ18

 GF1 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic GF1

 RZ18 GF1 
LaunchedSeptember 2011October 2009More recent by 23 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Pentax RZ18

 GF1 RZ18 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic GF1 comes with outside dimensions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst 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).

Examine the Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the GF1 against the RZ18.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GF1 and RZ18 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The graphic here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF1 and RZ18.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The GF1 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Pentax RZ18 will result in extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older GF1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography information
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography information
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
36
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Street photography info
Pentax RZ18 Street photography info
64
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography highlights
44
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery (380 shots)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
lacks phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF1
Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
59
better than average battery (380 per charge)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
environment proofing
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography advice
60
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (380 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
49
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
environment proofing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF1
Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
25
comes with face detect focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (178g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-10-14 2011-09-12
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD -
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 12 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 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 385 gr (0.85 lbs) 178 gr (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 513 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $400 $210