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Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Introduced March 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 SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Canon SX1 IS versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was revealed 3 years before the RZ18 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SX1 IS matches up vs the RZ18 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Pentax RZ18

 SX1 IS RZ18 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Canon SX1 IS

 RZ18 SX1 IS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011March 2009More modern by 29 months
Screen size3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Pentax RZ18

 SX1 IS RZ18 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX1 IS has exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") and a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX1 IS versus Pentax RZ18 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SX1 IS against the RZ18.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX1 IS and RZ18 is 64 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes merely by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX1 IS and RZ18.

Clearly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax RZ18 to give extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX1 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
46
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
36
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
manual mode not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography info
Pentax RZ18 Street photography info
56
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (615 grams)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than average (178g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
33
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX1 IS
Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
52
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (615 grams)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than average (178 grams)
environment sealing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX1 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
44
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse function
49
you can focus manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
environment sealing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Vlogging camera
57
quite wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
missing microphone jack
more heavy than competition (615g)
30
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (178g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
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Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Pentax RZ18
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISPentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-03-27 2011-09-12
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.8 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615 gr (1.36 lb) 178 gr (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 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 ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $600 $210