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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Launched September 2011
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Announced February 2010
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof and both are built by Pentax. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and W90 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The RZ18 was launched 19 months later than the W90 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the RZ18 matches up versus the W90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax W90

 RZ18 W90 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011February 2010Fresher by 19 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Pentax RZ18

 W90 RZ18 

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax W90

 RZ18 W90 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need 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") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Pentax W90 has sizing of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Check the Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the RZ18 and the W90.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and W90 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading through specs. The visual here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the RZ18 and W90.

All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax RZ18 to give greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more modern RZ18 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography details
Pentax W90 Portrait photography details
36
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography details
Pentax W90 Street photography details
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than competitors (178 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
weather proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Sports photography camera
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
24
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Travel photography features
Pentax W90 Travel photography features
71
lighter than competitors (178 grams)
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
64
weather proof
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography information
Pentax W90 Landscape photography information
49
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
37
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging info
Pentax W90 Vlogging info
30
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (178 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
25
rather wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax W90
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax Optio W90
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2011-09-12 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 grams (0.39 lbs) 164 grams (0.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 ID D-LI92 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $210 $120