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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
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
  • Launched September 2011
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax RZ18, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the K-3 (APS-C) and RZ18 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The K-3 was announced 2 years after the RZ18 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the K-3 scores vs the RZ18 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax RZ18

 K-3 RZ18 
LaunchedApril 2014September 2011More modern by 32 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax K-3

 RZ18 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax RZ18

 K-3 RZ18 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 has got external dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax RZ18 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the K-3 compared to the RZ18.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and RZ18 is 59 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes only by looking through specifications. The image underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and RZ18.

Plainly, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-3 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax K-3 will render greater detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger K-3 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
79
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
36
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Street photography advice
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than others (178g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography highlights
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (560 shots)
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography factors
60
environment sealing
good MP (24MP)
flash built-in
low battery pack (560 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
lighter than others (178g)
environment sealing
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
77
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
low battery pack (560 per charge)
49
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
environment sealing
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging information
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging information
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (178 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax RZ18
 Pentax K-3Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-04-10 2011-09-12
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 27 9
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 4cm
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI92
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 2 Single
Retail cost $639 $210