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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Released October 2019
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 Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and RZ18 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The Z50 was brought out 8 years after the RZ18 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the Z50 grades vs the RZ18 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax RZ18

 Z50 RZ18 
LaunchedOctober 2019September 2011Newer by 99 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Nikon Z50

 RZ18 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax RZ18

 Z50 RZ18 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 comes with physical measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") and a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the Z50 against the RZ18.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and RZ18 is 74 and 92 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing technical specs. The image underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z50 and RZ18.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The Z50 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Nikon Z50 will produce greater detail having its extra 5MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The fresher Z50 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography features
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography features
80
manual focus
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Street photography advice
73
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average (397g)
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
lighter than competitors (178g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography highlights
75
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography factors
77
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
resolution is good (21MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
heavier than average (397 grams)
71
lighter than competitors (178 grams)
weather proof
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography details
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography details
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
49
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proof
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging factors
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging factors
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
provides face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic jack
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average (397g)
30
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (178g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax RZ18
 Nikon Z50Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z50 Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2019-10-10 2011-09-12
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5568 x 3712 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 209 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Available lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 397g (0.88 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 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 320 shots -
Battery type Built-in -
Battery ID EN-EL25 D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $857 $210