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Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Released July 2011
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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic LS5 versus Pentax RZ18, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the LS5 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The LS5 was manufactured about the same time to the RZ18 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the LS5 grades vs the RZ18 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Pentax RZ18

 LS5 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic LS5

 RZ18 LS5 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LS5 and Pentax RZ18

 LS5 RZ18 
AnnouncedJuly 2011September 2011Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LS5 offers outer measurements of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic LS5 versus Pentax RZ18 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the LS5 against the RZ18.

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the LS5 and RZ18 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out a spec sheet. The pic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the LS5 and RZ18.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Pentax RZ18 to show more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LS5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count decent (14MP)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
36
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Street photography features
Pentax RZ18 Street photography features
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than others in class (178g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Sports photography info
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography info
32
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (160 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
slow frames per second (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 LS5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average in class (126g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery (160 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than others in class (178g)
environment proof
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LS5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
36
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery (160 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
49
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging highlights
32
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone jack
30
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (178g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LS5 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-07-21 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126g (0.28 lbs) 178g (0.39 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 160 photographs -
Type of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $294 $210