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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

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

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS 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-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax WG-2 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are built by Pentax. The resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the WG-2 GPS (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was announced 4 months before the WG-2 GPS so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the RZ18 grades against the WG-2 GPS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 RZ18 WG-2 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Pentax RZ18

 WG-2 GPS RZ18 

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 RZ18 WG-2 GPS 
IntroducedSeptember 2011February 2012Same generation
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax RZ18 features outer measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 GPS has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

See the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax WG-2 GPS in the all new Camera and 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 have chosen at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the RZ18 and the WG-2 GPS.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

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

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes purely by viewing technical specs. The pic below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the RZ18 and WG-2 GPS.

As you can tell, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution so you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you would want to consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
36
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
40
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Street photography camera
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
lighter than average (178 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
54
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Sports photography information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography information
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
38
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
Travel photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
71
lighter than average (178 grams)
weather proof
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
70
weather proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
49
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather proof
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
47
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging features
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (178 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
30
really wide (28mm)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2011-09-12 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178g (0.39 pounds) 198g (0.44 pounds)
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 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $210 $300