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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced September 2011
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Pentax. The resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very well matched and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was unveiled 7 months later than the S1 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the RZ18 scores against the S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax S1

 RZ18 S1 
IntroducedSeptember 2011March 2011Fresher by 7 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Pentax RZ18

 S1 RZ18 

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax S1

 RZ18 S1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax RZ18 features physical dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the RZ18 against the S1.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and S1 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading through technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the RZ18 and S1.

As you can tell, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax RZ18 to give extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The newer RZ18 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography details
Pentax S1 Portrait photography details
36
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
35
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography information
Pentax S1 Street photography information
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Sports photography details
Pentax S1 Sports photography details
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Travel photography info
Pentax S1 Travel photography info
71
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
64
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
49
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
weather sealing
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
42
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging advice
Pentax S1 Vlogging advice
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax S1
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax Optio S1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-09-12 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178g (0.39 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 - 260 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $210 $174