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Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-4 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Olympus TG-4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Earlier Model is Olympus TG-3
  • Updated by Olympus TG-5
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 TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the TG-4 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The TG-4 was brought out 3 years after the RZ18 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the TG-4 grades against the RZ18 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-4 over the Pentax RZ18

 TG-4 RZ18 
ReleasedApril 2015September 2011Newer by 44 months

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Olympus TG-4

 RZ18 TG-4 

Common features in the Olympus TG-4 and Pentax RZ18

 TG-4 RZ18 
Manual focus More 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 Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-4 has got physical measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") along with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 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).

Check the Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the TG-4 versus the RZ18.

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-4 and RZ18 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over specs. The picture below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-4 and RZ18.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution so you should expect similar quality of photos however you might want to factor the production date of the products into consideration. The more recent TG-4 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Portrait photography features
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography features
47
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-4 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (247g)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-4
Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
48
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
max fps low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-4
Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
74
better than average battery (380 per charge)
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors (247g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
weather sealing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Landscape photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography factors
62
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
49
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Vlogging highlights
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging highlights
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic port
heavier than competitors (247 grams)
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-4 and Pentax RZ18
 Olympus Tough TG-4Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Tough TG-4 Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2015-04-13 2011-09-12
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.90 m (at ISO 1600) 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (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 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247g (0.54 pounds) 178g (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
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 feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $379 $210