Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18
66 Imaging
42 Features
51 Overall
45
![Nikon Coolpix P520 front Nikon Coolpix P520 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-Coolpix-P520/Nikon-P520-front.jpg)
![Pentax Optio RZ18 front Pentax Optio RZ18 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-Optio-RZ18/Pentax-RZ18-front.jpg)
92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
- Launched January 2013
- Earlier Model is Nikon P510
- New Model is Nikon P530
(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
- Revealed September 2011
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the P520 (18MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
The P520 was introduced 17 months after the RZ18 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.
Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the P520 matches up versus the RZ18 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix P520 and Pentax Optio RZ18. The whole galleries are available at Nikon P520 Gallery and Pentax RZ18 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Pentax RZ18
P520 | RZ18 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2013 | ![]() | September 2011 | Newer by 17 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+461k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Nikon P520
RZ18 | P520 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon P520 and Pentax RZ18
P520 | RZ18 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon P520 has outer dimensions of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") accompanied by a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the P520 versus the RZ18.
![Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-Coolpix-P520-vs-Pentax-Optio-RZ18-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the P520 and RZ18 is 66 and 92 respectively.
![Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-Coolpix-P520-vs-Pentax-Optio-RZ18-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing specifications. The image here should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the P520 and RZ18.
To sum up, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon P520 to show more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger P520 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
![Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-Coolpix-P520-vs-Pentax-Optio-RZ18-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-Coolpix-P520-vs-Pentax-Optio-RZ18-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Nikon P520 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P520 | Pentax Optio RZ18 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix P520 | Pentax Optio RZ18 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2013-01-29 | 2011-09-12 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.16 x 4.62mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.5mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-1000mm (41.7x) | 25-450mm (18.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 4cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 921 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 2.80 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | - | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 550 grams (1.21 pounds) | 178 grams (0.39 pounds) |
Dimensions | 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") | 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 | 200 images | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL5 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $380 | $210 |