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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS20
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 ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS15 versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was manufactured 10 months later than the RZ18 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the ZS15 scores vs the RZ18 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax RZ18

 ZS15 RZ18 
IntroducedJune 2012September 2011Fresher by 10 months

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic ZS15

 RZ18 ZS15 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax RZ18

 ZS15 RZ18 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS15 enjoys exterior dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has sizing of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS15 versus Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS15 and the RZ18.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS15 and RZ18 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by seeing specs. The graphic here may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS15 and RZ18.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax RZ18 to produce more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern ZS15 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography advice
21
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
36
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography info
Pentax RZ18 Street photography info
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography factors
36
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (260 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
61
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery (260 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography highlights
37
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
49
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging details
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging details
33
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
30
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax Optio RZ18
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-06-29 2011-09-12
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208 gr (0.46 pounds) 178 gr (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $279 $210