Clicky

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
70
Imaging
34
Features
37
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix P90 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Nikon P90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 400g - 114 x 99 x 83mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Older Model is Nikon P80
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
  • Revealed September 2011
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the P90 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The P90 was introduced 3 years earlier than the RZ18 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon P90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief view of how the P90 grades vs the RZ18 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon P90 over the Pentax RZ18

 P90 RZ18 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Nikon P90

 RZ18 P90 
RevealedSeptember 2011February 2009More modern by 31 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon P90 and Pentax RZ18

 P90 RZ18 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon P90 enjoys physical measurements of 114mm x 99mm x 83mm (4.5" x 3.9" x 3.3") along with a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

See the Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the P90 versus the RZ18.

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the P90 and RZ18 is 70 and 92 respectively.

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by going over technical specs. The picture below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the P90 and RZ18.

As you can tell, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax RZ18 to offer you greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged P90 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P90 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
28
you can focus manually
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
36
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Nikon P90 Street photography information
Pentax RZ18 Street photography information
55
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competition (178 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Nikon P90 Sports photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography highlights
37
excellent zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Nikon P90 Travel photography info
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography info
54
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
very long reach (624mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition (178g)
weather proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Nikon P90 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography highlights
42
you can focus manually
relatively wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
49
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
weather proofing
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P90 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Vlogging camera
24
relatively wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
30
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
Photography Glossary

Nikon P90 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P90 and Pentax RZ18
 Nikon Coolpix P90Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix P90 Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-03 2011-09-12
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 400 grams (0.88 pounds) 178 grams (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 99 x 83mm (4.5" x 3.9" x 3.3") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID EN-EL5 D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $700 $210