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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-250mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 312g - 111 x 65 x 44mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS200
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 ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax RZ18, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the ZS100 (20MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the ZS100 (1") and RZ18 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS100 was revealed 4 years after the RZ18 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the ZS100 matches up against the RZ18 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Pentax RZ18

 ZS100 RZ18 
ReleasedJanuary 2016September 2011Newer by 53 months
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic ZS100

 RZ18 ZS100 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax RZ18

 ZS100 RZ18 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS100 features external dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs) while 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).

Compare the Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS100 and the RZ18.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS100 and RZ18 is 87 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specs. The picture here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS100 and RZ18.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS100 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic ZS100 will show greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The younger ZS100 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS100
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
64
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
36
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
78
image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
comes with touch focus
lighter than average (312g)
no articulating screen
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competition (178g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Sports photography info
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography info
67
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
features tracking focus
does not have phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
75
lighter than average (312 grams)
comes with touch focus
good resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition (178g)
environment proof
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Landscape photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography advice
68
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
49
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
environment proof
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Vlogging info
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging info
35
relatively wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than average (312 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
30
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 Pentax Optio RZ18
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ100 -
Category Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-01-05 2011-09-12
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type MOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 9.9 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m (at Auto ISO) 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p), 1920 x 1080 @ 60p/60i/30p/24p, 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 312 gr (0.69 pounds) 178 gr (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 70 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 559 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $700 $210