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Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
90
Imaging
53
Features
66
Overall
58
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic GF7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 266g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF6
  • Successor is Panasonic GF8
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
  • Announced September 2011
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Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic GF7 versus Pentax RZ18, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GF7 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the GF7 (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The GF7 was manufactured 3 years later than the RZ18 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GF7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the GF7 grades vs the RZ18 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF7 over the Pentax RZ18

 GF7 RZ18 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015September 2011More recent by 42 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic GF7

 RZ18 GF7 

Common features in the Panasonic GF7 and Pentax RZ18

 GF7 RZ18 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF7 features outer dimensions of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GF7 versus Pentax RZ18 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the GF7 versus the RZ18.

Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GF7 and RZ18 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading through specs. The photograph below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF7 and RZ18.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras come with the identical megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The GF7 features the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF easier. The more recent GF7 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF7 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
65
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
36
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic GF7 Street photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Street photography factors
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than competition (178g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF7 Sports photography information
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography information
51
maximum shutter speed is high (1/16,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (5.8 frames per second)
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF7 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography highlights
70
provides touch focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
71
lighter than competition (178 grams)
environment sealing
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
no Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF7 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
69
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
49
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
environment sealing
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF7
Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
33
touchscreen capability
includes face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing mic support
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
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Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF7 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2015-02-01 2011-09-12
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface 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 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.8 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 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 MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 266 grams (0.59 lb) 178 grams (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") 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 life 230 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $308 $210