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Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
80
Imaging
45
Features
34
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Launched January 2016
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
  • Released September 2011
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Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Below is a extended overview of the Canon SX420 IS versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX420 IS was announced 4 years later than the RZ18 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SX420 IS grades versus the RZ18 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Pentax RZ18

 SX420 IS RZ18 
ReleasedJanuary 2016September 2011More recent by 53 months

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Canon SX420 IS

 RZ18 SX420 IS 
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Pentax RZ18

 SX420 IS RZ18 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX420 IS comes with outer measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has dimensions 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 Canon SX420 IS versus Pentax RZ18 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SX420 IS compared to the RZ18.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX420 IS and RZ18 is 80 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor measurements just by going through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX420 IS and RZ18.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SX420 IS to provide greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger SX420 IS will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography details
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography details
44
manual focus
good MP (20MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
36
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
52
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX420 IS
Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
41
amazing zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (0.5 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (195 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
46
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Travel photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography advice
61
good MP (20MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1008mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (195 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
environment sealing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery (195 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
49
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging info
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging info
29
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
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Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Pentax RZ18
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISPentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-01-05 2011-09-12
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4+ -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5152 x 3864 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 0.5 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325g (0.72 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 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 195 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11LH D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $299 $210