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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Introduced January 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
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was introduced 17 months later than the RZ18 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS scores vs the RZ18 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Pentax RZ18

 SZ-16 iHS RZ18 
IntroducedJanuary 2013September 2011More recent by 17 months

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 RZ18 SZ-16 iHS 
Manual focus More exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax RZ18

 SZ-16 iHS RZ18 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS provides physical dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst 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 SZ-16 iHS and Pentax RZ18 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-16 iHS compared to the RZ18.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and RZ18 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements purely by researching a spec sheet. The visual here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-16 iHS and RZ18.

Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of files but you will want to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The younger SZ-16 iHS should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
36
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography details
Pentax RZ18 Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competition in class (178g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography information
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography information
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography info
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than competition in class (178g)
weather proofing
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery (220 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
49
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging info
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging info
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
30
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax RZ18
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-08 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 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 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 220 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $230 $210