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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS60
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 ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS50 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS50 was introduced 3 years after the RZ18 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a short highlight of how the ZS50 scores vs the RZ18 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax RZ18

 ZS50 RZ18 
IntroducedJanuary 2015September 2011Newer by 41 months
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic ZS50

 RZ18 ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax RZ18

 ZS50 RZ18 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS50 features outer measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS50 and the RZ18.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS50 and RZ18 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing technical specs. The pic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS50 and RZ18.

As you can tell, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax RZ18 to produce more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger ZS50 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
42
has manual focus
supports face detection focus
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
36
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Street photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Street photography advice
68
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others (243 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competitors (178 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
43
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography highlights
66
lighter than others (243 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than competitors (178g)
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography factors
51
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
49
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
34
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (243 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no external microphone jack
30
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (178 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax Optio RZ18
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2015-01-06 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 243g (0.54 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 44 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 138 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots -
Style of battery 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 Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $210