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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
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 ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was unveiled 8 months later than the RZ18 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the ZS20 grades versus the RZ18 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax RZ18

 ZS20 RZ18 
IntroducedApril 2012September 2011More recent by 8 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic ZS20

 RZ18 ZS20 
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax RZ18

 ZS20 RZ18 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS20 provides physical measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax RZ18 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS20 compared to the RZ18.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and RZ18 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements only by viewing specifications. The graphic here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS20 and RZ18.

Plainly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Pentax RZ18 to result in greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The newer ZS20 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
30
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
36
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Street photography advice
65
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than competition (206 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competition (178 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography information
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography information
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition (206g)
boasts focus via touch
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (260 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than competition (178 grams)
weather proofing
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography information
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography information
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery pack (260 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
49
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging factors
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging factors
34
fairly wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (206g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
30
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax Optio RZ18
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-04-26 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
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 2.80 m
Flash settings 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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 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 data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 gr (0.45 pounds) 178 gr (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 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 260 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $349 $210