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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS7
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
  • Announced September 2011
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

The following is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is pretty well matched and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was launched within a month of the RZ18 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the ZS8 scores against the RZ18 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax RZ18

 ZS8 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Panasonic ZS8

 RZ18 ZS8 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax RZ18

 ZS8 RZ18 
AnnouncedJuly 2011September 2011Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS8 has outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS8 versus the RZ18.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and RZ18 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specifications. The picture below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS8 and RZ18.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax RZ18 to resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography info
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography info
30
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
36
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Street photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
lighter than competition (178g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography highlights
47
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography features
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography features
69
lighter than competition (210g)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than competition (178g)
weather proof
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography highlights
44
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
49
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS8
Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
30
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax RZ18
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax Optio RZ18
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-07-19 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
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 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro 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 1280 x 720 (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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 grams (0.46 lbs) 178 grams (0.39 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 340 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 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
Price at release $275 $210