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Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RZ10 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Pentax RZ10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-280mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced February 2012
  • Old Model is Sony HX20V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX50V
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Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the RZ10 (14MP) and HX30V (18MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The RZ10 was manufactured 7 months earlier than the HX30V and they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the RZ10 matches up vs the HX30V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ10 over the Sony HX30V

 RZ10 HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Pentax RZ10

 HX30V RZ10 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012July 2011More modern by 7 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax RZ10 and Sony HX30V

 RZ10 HX30V 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax RZ10 has physical dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check out the Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the RZ10 versus the HX30V.

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RZ10 and HX30V is 92 and 90 respectively.

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes only by looking at specifications. The image below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the RZ10 and HX30V.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony HX30V to give greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged RZ10 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ10 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX30V Portrait photography advice
35
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
45
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ10 Street photography info
Sony HX30V Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ10 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX30V Sports photography highlights
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (178 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax RZ10
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
66
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
very long zoom (280mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (178 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
69
lighter than competition (254g)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ10 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Landscape photography camera
43
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery pack (178 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
50
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ10 Vlogging information
Sony HX30V Vlogging information
28
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (254g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
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Pentax RZ10 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ10 and Sony HX30V
 Pentax Optio RZ10Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio RZ10 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-07-19 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-280mm (10.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 grams (0.39 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 178 photos 320 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $200 $420