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Nikon S8000 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix S8000 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon S8000 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Nikon S8000
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 183g - 103 x 57 x 27mm
  • Released June 2010
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 S8000 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon S8000 and Pentax RZ18, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S8000 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is very similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S8000 was announced 15 months earlier than the RZ18 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the S8000 matches up versus the RZ18 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S8000 over the Pentax RZ18

 S8000 RZ18 
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Nikon S8000

 RZ18 S8000 
LaunchedSeptember 2011June 2010More modern by 15 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Nikon S8000 and Pentax RZ18

 S8000 RZ18 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon S8000 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon S8000 offers outer measurements of 103mm x 57mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.2" x 1.1") along with a weight of 183 grams (0.40 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has proportions 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 S8000 and Pentax RZ18 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the S8000 and the RZ18.

Nikon S8000 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S8000 and RZ18 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S8000 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S8000 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S8000 and RZ18.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax RZ18 to offer you greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged S8000 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon S8000 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Nikon S8000 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S8000 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S8000 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
36
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S8000
Street photography with Pentax RZ18
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than average in class (178g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S8000 Sports photography details
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography details
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S8000 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography highlights
61
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
great reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than average in class (178g)
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S8000 Landscape photography details
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography details
37
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
49
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8000 Vlogging information
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging information
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Nikon S8000 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S8000 and Pentax RZ18
 Nikon Coolpix S8000Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S8000 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-06-16 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
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 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-300mm (10.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 2cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 183 grams (0.40 lb) 178 grams (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 57 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.2" x 1.1") 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 model EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (3 sec or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $300 $210