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Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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 SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus SZ-11 versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is very close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-11 was announced at a similar time to the RZ18 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SZ-11 matches up versus the RZ18 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Pentax RZ18

 SZ-11 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Olympus SZ-11

 RZ18 SZ-11 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Pentax RZ18

 SZ-11 RZ18 
IntroducedJuly 2011September 2011Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-11 has got physical measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has measurements 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 SZ-11 versus Pentax RZ18 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-11 compared to the RZ18.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-11 and RZ18 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through specifications. The graphic here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-11 and RZ18.

To sum up, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax RZ18 to result in more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Portrait photography details
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography details
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
36
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography details
Pentax RZ18 Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competitors (178g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Sports photography features
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography features
43
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Travel photography information
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography information
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery pack (200 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than competitors (178 grams)
weather proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Landscape photography features
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography features
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery pack (200 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
49
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging highlights
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging highlights
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (178g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Pentax RZ18
 Olympus SZ-11Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-11 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-27 2011-09-12
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 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 support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 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 200 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $253 $210