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Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
93
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Canon PowerShot A1100 IS front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Canon A1100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 62 x 31mm
  • Released February 2009
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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Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Canon A1100 IS and Pentax RZ18, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the A1100 IS (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The A1100 IS was announced 3 years prior to the RZ18 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A1100 IS grades vs the RZ18 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A1100 IS over the Pentax RZ18

 A1100 IS RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Canon A1100 IS

 RZ18 A1100 IS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011February 2009Newer by 31 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k115kClearer screen (+345k dot)

Common features in the Canon A1100 IS and Pentax RZ18

 A1100 IS RZ18 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and size. The Canon A1100 IS has outer dimensions of 95mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

See the Canon A1100 IS and Pentax RZ18 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the A1100 IS versus the RZ18.

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A1100 IS and RZ18 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions only by seeing specifications. The picture below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A1100 IS and RZ18.

Plainly, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Pentax RZ18 to produce more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged A1100 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1100 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
26
supports face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
36
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A1100 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competition (178 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Sports photography details
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography details
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
46
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A1100 IS
Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
50
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
71
lighter than competition (178g)
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Landscape photography info
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography info
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse recording
49
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Vlogging info
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging info
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone support
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1100 IS and Pentax RZ18
 Canon PowerShot A1100 ISPentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot A1100 IS Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-02-18 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 115k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 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 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150g (0.33 pounds) 178g (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 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 2 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $160 $210