Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax RZ18

Following is a thorough comparison of the Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was manufactured 14 months before the RZ18 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SX20 IS grades against the RZ18 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Pentax Optio RZ18. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Pentax RZ18 Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS provides external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax RZ18 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX20 IS and the RZ18.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and RZ18 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Usually, it can be hard to see the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The image here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and RZ18.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax RZ18 to deliver more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.