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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

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
  • Announced September 2011
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

The following is a extended comparison of the Pentax RZ18 versus Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are created by Pentax. The resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is fairly close and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was released 4 months prior to the VS20 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summary of how the RZ18 grades vs the VS20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax VS20

 RZ18 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax RZ18

 VS20 RZ18 

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax VS20

 RZ18 VS20 
IntroducedSeptember 2011January 2012Same generation
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax RZ18 provides physical dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Pentax RZ18 versus Pentax VS20 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 utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the RZ18 compared to the VS20.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the RZ18 and VS20 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The image here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the RZ18 and VS20.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of files though you really should factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography info
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography info
36
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
36
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual mode not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography advice
Pentax VS20 Street photography advice
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
Travel photography with Pentax VS20
71
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
weather proof
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than others in class (235g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography features
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography features
49
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
47
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
30
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
30
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax VS20
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax Optio VS20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-09-12 2012-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 2.80 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178g (0.39 pounds) 235g (0.52 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model D-LI92 D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $210 $106