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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs

Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-30
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
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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Pentax K-50 versus Pentax RZ18, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is relatively close but the K-50 (APS-C) and RZ18 (1/2.3") possess different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The K-50 was brought out 2 years later than the RZ18 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the K-50 grades versus the RZ18 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Pentax RZ18

 K-50 RZ18 
ReleasedNovember 2013September 2011Fresher by 27 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax K-50

 RZ18 K-50 

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Pentax RZ18

 K-50 RZ18 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-50 comes with physical measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 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).

Analyze the Pentax K-50 versus Pentax RZ18 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the K-50 versus the RZ18.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-50 and RZ18 is 63 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-50 and RZ18.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The K-50 provides the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF simpler. The newer K-50 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-50 Portrait photography info
Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography info
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
36
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-50 Street photography details
Pentax RZ18 Street photography details
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
heavier than competition in class (650 grams)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than others (178 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography information
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography information
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-50 Travel photography information
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography information
56
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (650g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
lighter than others (178g)
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 Landscape photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography advice
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
49
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather sealing
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging information
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging information
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (650 grams)
30
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (178g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Pentax RZ18
 Pentax K-50Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-50 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-11-27 2011-09-12
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 51600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Total lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
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 30 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs -
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 pounds) 178 grams (0.39 pounds)
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 rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1120 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109 D-LI92
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $610 $210