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Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
74
Imaging
59
Features
84
Overall
69
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic GX8
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 487g - 133 x 78 x 63mm
  • Launched July 2015
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GX7
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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the GX8 (20MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the GX8 (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.

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The GX8 was announced 3 years later than the RZ18 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GX8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the GX8 matches up vs the RZ18 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX8 over the Pentax RZ18

 GX8 RZ18 
LaunchedJuly 2015September 2011Fresher by 47 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic GX8

 RZ18 GX8 

Common features in the Panasonic GX8 and Pentax RZ18

 GX8 RZ18 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic GX8 has exterior dimensions of 133mm x 78mm x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") and a weight of 487 grams (1.07 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the GX8 compared to the RZ18.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GX8 and RZ18 is 74 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GX8 and RZ18.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GX8 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic GX8 will show extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more modern GX8 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GX8
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
75
has manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
36
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX8 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
80
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than others (178g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX8 Sports photography features
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography features
68
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
terrible battery pack (330 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
73
environment proof
includes touch focus
MP count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
71
lighter than others (178g)
weather sealing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
terrible battery pack (330 shots)
49
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
weather sealing
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GX8
Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
81
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic socket
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (178 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX8 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-07-16 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 area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 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 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.77x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 487g (1.07 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 78 x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 75 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 806 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $898 $210