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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched 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
  • Released September 2011
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ7 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ7 was unveiled 4 months after the RZ18 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ7 grades versus the RZ18 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Pentax RZ18

 SZ7 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic SZ7

 RZ18 SZ7 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax RZ18

 SZ7 RZ18 
ReleasedJanuary 2012September 2011Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ7 features outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ7 against the RZ18.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ7 and RZ18 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by checking out technical specs. The picture below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ7 and RZ18.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Pentax RZ18 to produce more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography features
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography features
33
good resolution (14MP)
offers face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
36
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ7
Street photography with Pentax RZ18
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (133g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography details
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography details
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than others in class (133g)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than competition in class (178g)
weather proofing
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ7
Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
42
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
49
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging factors
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging factors
35
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (133g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
30
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-09 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS 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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 4cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 133 grams (0.29 lb) 178 grams (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 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 220 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $199 $210