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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Introduced September 2011
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Refreshed by Pentax Q10
Photography Glossary

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax RZ18 versus Pentax Q, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are offered by Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and Q (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was unveiled 3 months later than the Q so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summary of how the RZ18 matches up against the Q in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax Q

 RZ18 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax RZ18

 Q RZ18 

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax Q

 RZ18 Q 
ReleasedSeptember 2011June 2011Same generation
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax RZ18 enjoys outside 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) and the Pentax Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax RZ18 versus Pentax Q in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the RZ18 compared to the Q.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and Q is 92 and 93 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the RZ18 and Q.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax RZ18 to render greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography information
Pentax Q Portrait photography information
36
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
45
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average (180 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
Sports photography with Pentax Q
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Travel photography features
Pentax Q Travel photography features
71
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
environment sealing
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
57
lighter than average (180g)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q Landscape photography information
49
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
environment sealing
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
Vlogging with Pentax Q
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (180g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no external mic support
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax Q
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax Q
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-09-12 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 pounds) 180 grams (0.40 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $210 $695