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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS45
Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Launched September 2011
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS40 was brought out 2 years later than the RZ18 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the ZS40 scores versus the RZ18 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax RZ18

 ZS40 RZ18 
LaunchedJanuary 2014September 2011More recent by 29 months
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic ZS40

 RZ18 ZS40 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax RZ18

 ZS40 RZ18 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS40 provides physical measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS40 versus the RZ18.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS40 and RZ18 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading a spec sheet. The visual underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS40 and RZ18.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS40 to deliver greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more modern ZS40 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography details
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography details
52
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography details
Pentax RZ18 Street photography details
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competition (178g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS40
Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
features tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
low fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography features
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography features
69
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
decent megapixels (18MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than competition (178 grams)
environment proof
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS40
Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
56
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
49
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging factors
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging factors
34
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (240g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic support
30
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax Optio RZ18
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-01-06 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
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 18 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 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD with AR coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240g (0.53 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" 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 300 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $450 $210