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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS8
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
  • Announced September 2011
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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Below is a complete overview of the Panasonic ZS7 versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the ZS7 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS7 was launched around the same time to the RZ18 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the ZS7 scores versus the RZ18 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Pentax RZ18

 ZS7 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic ZS7

 RZ18 ZS7 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax RZ18

 ZS7 RZ18 
AnnouncedJuly 2011September 2011Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS7 enjoys outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS7 versus Pentax RZ18 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the ZS7 compared to the RZ18.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS7 and RZ18 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements only by going through a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS7 and RZ18.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax RZ18 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images way more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS7
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
21
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
36
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (218g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography highlights
63
lighter than others (218 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
weather proof
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS7
Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
38
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
49
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
weather proof
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Vlogging information
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging information
30
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (218 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Pentax Optio RZ18
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ10 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-19 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 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 pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
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)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic 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 218 grams (0.48 lb) 178 grams (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 All around 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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $350 $210