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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Released November 2003
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
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
  • Introduced September 2011
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18, one is a Pro DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-1 was launched 8 years earlier than the RZ18 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-1 grades versus the RZ18 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Pentax RZ18

 E-1 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Olympus E-1

 RZ18 E-1 
IntroducedSeptember 2011November 2003Newer by 94 months
Display size3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution460k134kSharper display (+326k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Pentax RZ18

 E-1 RZ18 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-1 enjoys external measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst 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).

Examine the Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the E-1 against the RZ18.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and RZ18 is 59 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions only by researching a spec sheet. The picture below might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-1 and RZ18.

As you can see, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-1 because of its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Pentax RZ18 will provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography info
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography info
46
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
36
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Pentax RZ18
57
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
lighter than competition (735 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than competition (178 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography factors
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5MP)
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-1
Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
47
lighter than competition (735g)
weather proof
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
lighter than competition (178g)
environment sealing
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography factors
46
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen is small (1.8 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
49
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
environment sealing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-1
Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
9
no video
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax RZ18
 Olympus E-1Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-1 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2003-11-29 2011-09-12
Body design Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2560 x 1920 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 134k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735g (1.62 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $1,700 $210