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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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
  • Introduced September 2011
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Panasonic SZ1 and 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 SZ1 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was brought out 4 months after the RZ18 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a short summary of how the SZ1 grades versus the RZ18 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax RZ18

 SZ1 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic SZ1

 RZ18 SZ1 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax RZ18

 SZ1 RZ18 
IntroducedJanuary 2012September 2011Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ1 comes with exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax RZ18 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ1 versus the RZ18.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and RZ18 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading specs. The pic below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and RZ18.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP therefore you should expect similar quality of images however you may want to factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
34
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
36
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (131 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
lighter than average (178g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography features
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography features
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
70
lighter than average in class (131 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than average (178g)
weather proof
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography features
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography features
43
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
49
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
weather proof
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging features
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging features
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (131g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (178 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 4cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (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 data format MPEG-4 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 131g (0.29 lbs) 178g (0.39 lbs)
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 Overall 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 250 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $179 $210