Clicky

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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
  • Announced September 2011
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic S2 and Pentax RZ18, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The S2 was released 4 months later than the RZ18 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the S2 scores versus the RZ18 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax RZ18

 S2 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic S2

 RZ18 S2 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax RZ18

 S2 RZ18 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012September 2011Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic S2 features physical measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic S2 and Pentax RZ18 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the S2 vs the RZ18.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S2 and RZ18 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by reviewing specifications. The graphic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S2 and RZ18.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Pentax RZ18 to deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography advice
34
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
36
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Street photography highlights
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (112g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 Sports photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography factors
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good battery (280 CIPA)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
71
good battery (280 per charge)
lighter than others (112g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
weather proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography features
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography features
41
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good battery (280 shots)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
49
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging info
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging info
33
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than others (112 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-09 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
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 format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 112g (0.25 lbs) 178g (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" 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 280 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - 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 One One
Retail price $109 $210