Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax RZ18
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Revealed May 2010
- Updated by Olympus E-PL1s
(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
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview
The following is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax RZ18, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe E-PL1 was brought out 16 months earlier than the RZ18 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.
Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL1 grades against the RZ18 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax RZ18 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL1 & Pentax Optio RZ18. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery & Pentax RZ18 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax RZ18
E-PL1 | RZ18 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Olympus E-PL1
RZ18 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | September 2011 | May 2010 | Newer by 16 months | |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax RZ18
E-PL1 | RZ18 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | More precise focusing | |||
Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly screen | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 features external dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax RZ18 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL1 against the RZ18.
Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and RZ18 is 86 and 92 respectively.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions purely by going through specs. The image here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and RZ18.
All in all, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax RZ18 will provide more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Pentax Optio RZ18 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Pentax Optio RZ18 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2010-05-17 | 2011-09-12 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Truepic V | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 25-450mm (18.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 4cm |
Amount of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 4 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m | 2.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/160 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (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 file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 334 grams (0.74 lb) | 178 grams (0.39 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 54 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.1 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 487 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 shots | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | BLS-1 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $288 | $210 |