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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • New Model is Pentax K-50
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
  • Released September 2011
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here is a extensive assessment of the Pentax K-30 versus Pentax RZ18, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is very similar but the K-30 (APS-C) and RZ18 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The K-30 was unveiled 14 months later than the RZ18 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the K-30 scores versus the RZ18 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax RZ18

 K-30 RZ18 
ReleasedOctober 2012September 2011Fresher by 14 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax K-30

 RZ18 K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax RZ18

 K-30 RZ18 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-30 enjoys external measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-30 versus Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the K-30 vs the RZ18.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-30 and RZ18 is 63 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specifications. The photograph underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-30 and RZ18.

Plainly, both of these cameras have got the exact same resolution but different sensor sizing. The K-30 offers the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF simpler. The newer K-30 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
36
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Street photography factors
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than average (178g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-30
Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (6.0 fps)
low battery pack (410 shots)
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
60
weather proofing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery pack (410 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly display
71
lighter than average (178g)
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography info
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography info
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
low battery pack (410 per charge)
49
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging features
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging features
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have external mic jack
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (178g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax RZ18
 Pentax K-30Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-30 Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-10-29 2011-09-12
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 4cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 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 MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 gr (1.43 lb) 178 gr (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1129 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $525 $210