Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax RZ18
84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46


92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
- Launched July 2013
(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

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview
Here, we are reviewing the Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax RZ18, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Pentax. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and RZ18 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

The MX-1 was announced 22 months after the RZ18 making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the MX-1 matches up vs the RZ18 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax MX-1 and Pentax Optio RZ18. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax MX-1 Gallery and Pentax RZ18 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax RZ18
MX-1 | RZ18 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2013 | ![]() | September 2011 | Newer by 22 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+460k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax MX-1
RZ18 | MX-1 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Pentax RZ18
MX-1 | RZ18 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch display |
Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax MX-1 comes with outside measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has sizing of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
Look at the Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax RZ18 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the MX-1 against the RZ18.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the MX-1 and RZ18 is 84 and 92 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specifications. The image below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the MX-1 and RZ18.
Plainly, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The MX-1 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Pentax RZ18 will provide greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The younger MX-1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications
Pentax MX-1 | Pentax Optio RZ18 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax MX-1 | Pentax Optio RZ18 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2013-07-01 | 2011-09-12 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 25-450mm (18.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 920 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD with AR coating | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | 2.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 391 grams (0.86 pounds) | 178 grams (0.39 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") | 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 49 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 208 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 photos | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-Li-106 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $400 | $210 |