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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed November 2010
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL2
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
  • Revealed September 2011
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax RZ18, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") boast different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1s was launched 10 months earlier than the RZ18 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-PL1s scores versus the RZ18 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Pentax RZ18

 E-PL1s RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 RZ18 E-PL1s 
RevealedSeptember 2011November 2010Fresher by 10 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax RZ18

 E-PL1s RZ18 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1s has exterior measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax RZ18 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL1s versus the RZ18.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and RZ18 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The visual underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1s and RZ18.

To sum up, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1s due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax RZ18 will show greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older E-PL1s will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography advice
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
36
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competition (178g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography features
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography features
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
low battery pack (290 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (290 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
71
lighter than competition (178 grams)
environment proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography details
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography details
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (290 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
49
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging details
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging details
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax RZ18
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1s Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-11-16 2011-09-12
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 4cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 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
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 178g (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 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 life 290 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $599 $210