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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Introduced July 2020
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 Z5 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Nikon Z5 versus Pentax RZ18, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and RZ18 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z5 was manufactured 8 years later than the RZ18 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the Z5 grades versus the RZ18 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Pentax RZ18

 Z5 RZ18 
ReleasedJuly 2020September 2011Fresher by 108 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Nikon Z5

 RZ18 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Pentax RZ18

 Z5 RZ18 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 enjoys exterior dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z5 versus Pentax RZ18 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the Z5 against the RZ18.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and RZ18 is 62 and 92 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The visual underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and RZ18.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Z5 featuring a bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon Z5 will provide greater detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern Z5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
85
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
36
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Street photography highlights
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
includes focus by touch
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competitors (675g)
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than competition (178 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography features
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography features
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography advice
68
great battery pack (470 shots)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
includes focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
more heavy than competitors (675g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
lighter than competition (178g)
weather sealing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography features
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography features
86
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
2 card slots
49
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Vlogging camera
34
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors (675 grams)
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Pentax RZ18
 Nikon Z5Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z5 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2020-07-20 2011-09-12
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4016 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 273 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Amount of lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 2.80 m
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 grams (1.49 lb) 178 grams (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 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 life 470 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL15c D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 2 One
Launch price $1,399 $210