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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-30MR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Released March 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-30MR vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was introduced 6 months prior to the RZ18 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ-30MR grades versus the RZ18 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Pentax RZ18

 SZ-30MR RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 RZ18 SZ-30MR 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax RZ18

 SZ-30MR RZ18 
IntroducedMarch 2011September 2011Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR offers exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-30MR vs the RZ18.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and RZ18 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes purely by going through specifications. The pic underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and RZ18.

Plainly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of files but you should consider the launch date of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
36
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography information
Pentax RZ18 Street photography information
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competition (178g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
41
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than competition (178 grams)
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography info
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography info
41
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery pack (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
49
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging highlights
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging highlights
34
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have mic support
30
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax RZ18
 Olympus SZ-30MRPentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-03-02 2011-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 178 grams (0.39 pounds)
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 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 life 220 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $279 $210