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Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Announced February 2016
Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Launched September 2011
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Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the B500 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The B500 was brought out 4 years after the RZ18 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon B500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the B500 grades against the RZ18 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Pentax RZ18

 B500 RZ18 
LaunchedFebruary 2016September 2011Newer by 55 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Nikon B500

 RZ18 B500 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Pentax RZ18

 B500 RZ18 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon B500 enjoys exterior measurements of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the B500 compared to the RZ18.

Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the B500 and RZ18 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions just by researching specifications. The pic below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the B500 and RZ18.

To sum up, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP and you should expect comparable quality of photos however you should always take the release date of the cameras into account. The younger B500 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
37
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
36
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon B500 Street photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Street photography highlights
52
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than others (541g)
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competition (178 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon B500 Sports photography info
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography info
51
incredible zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
good battery life (600 shots)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon B500 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography highlights
59
good battery life (600 CIPA)
has bluetooth
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (23mm)
long reach (900mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (541 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than competition (178 grams)
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 Landscape photography features
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography features
45
really wide (23mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good battery life (600 shots)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
49
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
environment proof
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon B500 Vlogging highlights
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging highlights
27
really wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than others (541g)
30
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Nikon B500 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Pentax RZ18
 Nikon Coolpix B500Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix B500 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-02-23 2011-09-12
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-900mm (39.1x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.4fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 2.80 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 541 gr (1.19 lbs) 178 gr (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 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 life 600 photos -
Type of battery AA -
Battery model 4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $300 $210