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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Revealed September 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GM1
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 GM5 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic GM5 and Pentax RZ18, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is pretty similar but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") boast different sensor measurements.

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The GM5 was unveiled 3 years after the RZ18 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the GM5 grades versus the RZ18 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Pentax RZ18

 GM5 RZ18 
LaunchedSeptember 2014September 2011More modern by 37 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic GM5

 RZ18 GM5 

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Pentax RZ18

 GM5 RZ18 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GM5 provides outer dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GM5 and Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the GM5 and the RZ18.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the GM5 and RZ18 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes simply by going over technical specs. The pic underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GM5 and RZ18.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have the same resolution albeit different sensor sizes. The GM5 has got the bigger sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult. The younger GM5 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Portrait photography information
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography information
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
36
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
76
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (211 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GM5
Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
48
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500s)
slow continuous shooting (5.8 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Travel photography features
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography features
71
lighter than competition in class (211g)
boasts touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
not so great battery (220 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
71
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
weather sealing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography factors
69
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (220 shots)
49
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GM5
Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
34
touchscreen functionality
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (211g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
30
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-09-15 2011-09-12
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
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 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 resolution 4592 x 3448 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect 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 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/2000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 5.8 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 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 file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 211 gr (0.47 pounds) 178 gr (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 721 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID DMW-BLH7 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $966 $210