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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

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

Below, we will be matching up the Pentax RZ18 versus Pentax WG-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof and both are manufactured by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is pretty similar and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was unveiled 8 months after the WG-1 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the RZ18 scores vs the WG-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax WG-1

 RZ18 WG-1 
IntroducedSeptember 2011February 2011Newer by 8 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Pentax RZ18

 WG-1 RZ18 

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax WG-1

 RZ18 WG-1 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax RZ18 features physical measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

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Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the RZ18 and the WG-1.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and WG-1 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The image below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the RZ18 and WG-1.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax RZ18 to offer more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The newer RZ18 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
36
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
35
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography info
Pentax WG-1 Street photography info
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competition (178g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
weather proof
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
Sports photography with Pentax WG-1
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
37
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
Travel photography with Pentax WG-1
71
lighter than competition (178g)
environment proof
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
71
weather proof
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography factors
49
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
42
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14MP)
weather proof
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging info
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging info
30
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
25
pretty wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax WG-1
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2011-09-12 2011-02-07
Physical type 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 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 2.80 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 grams (0.39 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
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 Overall 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 life - 260 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $210 $350