Clicky

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL7
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
  • Released September 2011
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL6 versus Pentax RZ18, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PL6 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is fairly close but the E-PL6 (Four Thirds) and RZ18 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The E-PL6 was launched 2 years later than the RZ18 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-PL6 grades versus the RZ18 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Pentax RZ18

 E-PL6 RZ18 
ReleasedAugust 2014September 2011Fresher by 36 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Olympus E-PL6

 RZ18 E-PL6 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL6 and Pentax RZ18

 E-PL6 RZ18 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL6 comes with outside measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has dimensions 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 Olympus E-PL6 versus Pentax RZ18 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL6 and the RZ18.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL6 and RZ18 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL6 and RZ18.

All in all, both the cameras come with the identical MP but different sensor sizing. The E-PL6 offers the larger sensor which is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier. The more recent E-PL6 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Portrait photography info
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography info
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
36
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Street photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Street photography factors
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
features focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (178g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Sports photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography highlights
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL6
Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
85
features focus via touch
good megapixels (16MP)
selfie friendly screen
71
lighter than competition in class (178g)
weather sealing
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Landscape photography features
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography features
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
49
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse recording
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Vlogging details
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging details
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
30
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL6 and Pentax RZ18
 Olympus PEN E-PL6Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL6 Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-08-01 2011-09-12
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 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
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 325 gr (0.72 pounds) 178 gr (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 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 360 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $300 $210