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Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Superseded the Nikon L110
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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Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L120 was revealed 7 months earlier than the RZ18 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the L120 matches up against the RZ18 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Pentax RZ18

 L120 RZ18 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Nikon L120

 RZ18 L120 
ReleasedSeptember 2011February 2011Newer by 7 months
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Pentax RZ18

 L120 RZ18 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon L120 has outer measurements of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the L120 and the RZ18.

Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the L120 and RZ18 is 75 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specs. The picture below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the L120 and RZ18.

All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax RZ18 to offer extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged L120 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
36
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L120 Sports photography details
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography details
43
incredible zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography highlights
60
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (525mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
environment proofing
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography info
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography info
40
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
49
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 Vlogging factors
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging factors
27
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
30
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
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Nikon L120 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Pentax RZ18
 Nikon Coolpix L120Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L120 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-02-09 2011-09-12
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
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 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
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 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-525mm (21.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 431 grams (0.95 lbs) 178 grams (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 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 330 shots -
Battery type AA -
Battery model 4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $300 $210