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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic S1 versus Pentax RZ18, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the S1 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S1 was introduced 8 months before the RZ18 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the S1 matches up versus the RZ18 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax RZ18

 S1 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic S1

 RZ18 S1 
LaunchedSeptember 2011January 2011More recent by 8 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax RZ18

 S1 RZ18 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S1 provides outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S1 versus Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the S1 vs the RZ18.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and RZ18 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and RZ18.

All in all, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax RZ18 to deliver extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older S1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S1
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
36
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Street photography highlights
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography highlights
62
lighter than average (117g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
49
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging features
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging features
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
30
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-01-05 2011-09-12
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV -
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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117g (0.26 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 240 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $269 $210