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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Updated by Panasonic GH5
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
  • Released September 2011
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Panasonic GH4 versus Pentax RZ18, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is pretty close but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The GH4 was released 2 years later than the RZ18 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summary of how the GH4 grades against the RZ18 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Pentax RZ18

 GH4 RZ18 
ReleasedFebruary 2014September 2011Fresher by 30 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1036k460kClearer screen (+576k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic GH4

 RZ18 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax RZ18

 GH4 RZ18 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH4 has external measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has sizing of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GH4 versus Pentax RZ18 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the GH4 compared to the RZ18.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the GH4 and RZ18 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by researching specs. The graphic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GH4 and RZ18.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have the same MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The GH4 has the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field less difficult. The newer GH4 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
36
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH4
Street photography with Pentax RZ18
71
fully articulated screen
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
has touch focus
environment sealing
lighter than competitors (560 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography information
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography information
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH4
Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
77
lighter than competitors (560 grams)
environment sealing
has touch focus
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
71
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
weather sealing
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
72
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
no image stabilization
49
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH4
Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
71
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has mic jack
lighter than competitors (560g)
no image stabilization
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-02-07 2011-09-12
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IX -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,036 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech OLED TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 25p, 30p), 1920 x 1080 (24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p), 1280 x 720 (24p, 25p, 30p), 640 x 480 (25p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560 gr (1.23 lb) 178 gr (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 791 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $1,500 $210