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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 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 WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax WG-2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof and both are sold by Pentax. The resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was manufactured 4 months earlier than the WG-2 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the RZ18 grades vs the WG-2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax WG-2

 RZ18 WG-2 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Pentax RZ18

 WG-2 RZ18 

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax WG-2

 RZ18 WG-2 
IntroducedSeptember 2011February 2012Similar generation
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax RZ18 features external 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 WG-2 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax WG-2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the RZ18 and the WG-2.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RZ18 and WG-2 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the RZ18 and WG-2.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photos however you will want to consider the release date of the products into consideration.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography factors
36
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
40
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax RZ18
Street photography with Pentax WG-2
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than competition (178 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
54
environment proofing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
Sports photography with Pentax WG-2
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
38
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Travel photography information
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography information
71
lighter than competition (178 grams)
environment sealing
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
70
environment proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography info
49
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
environment sealing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
47
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Vlogging camera
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
30
quite wide (28mm)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external mic support
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax WG-2
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax Optio WG-2
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2011-09-12 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount 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
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 2.80 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lb) 192 gr (0.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 life - 260 shots
Style 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $210 $350