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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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 ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS3 was unveiled 3 years prior to the RZ18 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the ZS3 matches up against the RZ18 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax RZ18

 ZS3 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic ZS3

 RZ18 ZS3 
ReleasedSeptember 2011May 2009More modern by 28 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax RZ18

 ZS3 RZ18 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS3 features outside dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax RZ18 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS3 and the RZ18.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and RZ18 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and RZ18.

As you can tell, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax RZ18 to result in greater detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
36
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competition (178 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography factors
24
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than average (229g)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than competition (178g)
environment proof
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
missing Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography advice
35
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
49
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proof
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging features
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging features
30
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
30
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax Optio RZ18
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-05-14 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite 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 None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229g (0.50 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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 model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $200 $210