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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Launched June 2013
Pentax RZ18
(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
  • Introduced September 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was brought out 22 months after the RZ18 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SZ-15 grades against the RZ18 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Pentax RZ18

 SZ-15 RZ18 
IntroducedJune 2013September 2011Newer by 22 months

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Olympus SZ-15

 RZ18 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax RZ18

 SZ-15 RZ18 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-15 comes with outer measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has sizing of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax RZ18 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-15 and the RZ18.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and RZ18 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The picture below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and RZ18.

All in all, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of pictures however you really should consider the production date of the cameras into account. The younger SZ-15 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
44
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
36
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (250g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (178g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography advice
53
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition (250g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (23mm)
very long zoom (483mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition in class (178g)
environment proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography info
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography info
49
you can focus manually
really wide (23mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
49
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Vlogging camera
34
really wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (250 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
30
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax RZ18
 Olympus SZ-15Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-15 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-21 2011-09-12
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
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 23-483mm (21.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 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 AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 gr (0.55 pounds) 178 gr (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 SLB-10A D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $200 $210