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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Introduced July 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
  • Revealed September 2011
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax RZ18, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was announced 11 months later than the RZ18 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ5 grades vs the RZ18 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax RZ18

 SZ5 RZ18 
RevealedJuly 2012September 2011Fresher by 11 months

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic SZ5

 RZ18 SZ5 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax RZ18

 SZ5 RZ18 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ5 has exterior dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst 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).

Check out the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the SZ5 compared to the RZ18.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and RZ18 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking specifications. The photograph underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ5 and RZ18.

To sum up, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax RZ18 to give extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The fresher SZ5 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
34
good MP (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
36
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography details
Pentax RZ18 Street photography details
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography factors
70
lighter than competition in class (136g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
environment proof
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
42
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
49
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging advice
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging advice
32
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
30
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-07-18 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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
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 range 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 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 MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136g (0.30 pounds) 178g (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" 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 250 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $195 $210