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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic TS4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FT4
  • Old Model is Panasonic TS3
  • Replacement is Panasonic TS5
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
  • Revealed September 2011
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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax RZ18, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the TS4 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The TS4 was introduced 5 months later than the RZ18 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the TS4 matches up vs the RZ18 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Pentax RZ18

 TS4 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic TS4

 RZ18 TS4 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax RZ18

 TS4 RZ18 
RevealedJanuary 2012September 2011Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic TS4 enjoys outer measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) and 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).

Examine the Panasonic TS4 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 dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the TS4 vs the RZ18.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the TS4 and RZ18 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements simply by going over technical specs. The visual underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the TS4 and RZ18.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax RZ18 to offer greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Portrait photography details
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography details
21
manual focus not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
36
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic TS4
Street photography with Pentax RZ18
61
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Sports photography features
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography features
38
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery (310 shots)
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Travel photography details
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography details
66
good battery (310 shots)
environment proofing
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
environment proof
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic TS4
Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
good battery (310 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
49
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
environment proof
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS4 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Vlogging camera
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
30
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (178g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS4 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Pentax Optio RZ18
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FT4 -
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-01-31 2011-09-12
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
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 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 197 gr (0.43 lbs) 178 gr (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 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 310 shots -
Battery type 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
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $399 $210