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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Olympus SH-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • Successor is Olympus SH-2
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
  • Released September 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Olympus SH-1 versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SH-1 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SH-1 was unveiled 2 years after the RZ18 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SH-1 matches up against the RZ18 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Pentax RZ18

 SH-1 RZ18 
ReleasedMarch 2014September 2011More modern by 32 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Olympus SH-1

 RZ18 SH-1 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SH-1 and Pentax RZ18

 SH-1 RZ18 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SH-1 provides physical measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has sizing of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

See the Olympus SH-1 versus Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SH-1 compared to the RZ18.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SH-1 and RZ18 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes just by reading through technical specs. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-1 and RZ18.

As you have seen, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same MP so you can expect similar quality of photos although you might want to take the age of the products into consideration. The more recent SH-1 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Portrait photography features
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography features
37
megapixel count good (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
36
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Street photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Street photography factors
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competition (271 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SH-1
Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
better than average battery power (380 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
weather proof
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Travel photography details
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography details
74
better than average battery power (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition (271 grams)
comes with focus by touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than competition in class (178g)
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Landscape photography info
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography info
49
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
better than average battery power (380 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
49
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Vlogging advice
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging advice
37
decently wide (25mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone port
lighter than competition (271g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
30
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-1 and Pentax RZ18
 Olympus Stylus SH-1Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-1 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-03-31 2011-09-12
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type 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 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 2.80 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 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 file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 271 grams (0.60 lb) 178 grams (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 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 380 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $349 $210