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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 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
  • Announced September 2011
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Released August 2012
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are offered by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is very comparable and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was unveiled 11 months prior to the X-5 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the RZ18 grades versus the X-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax X-5

 RZ18 X-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Pentax RZ18

 X-5 RZ18 
ReleasedAugust 2012September 2011Fresher by 11 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax X-5

 RZ18 X-5 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax RZ18 provides external dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Pentax X-5 has specifications of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the RZ18 versus the X-5.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RZ18 and X-5 is 92 and 65 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the RZ18 and X-5.

All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of images although you should take the release date of the cameras into account. The older RZ18 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography factors
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography factors
36
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
44
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography details
Pentax X-5 Street photography details
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than average (178 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
50
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Sports photography information
Pentax X-5 Sports photography information
47
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
53
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Travel photography factors
Pentax X-5 Travel photography factors
71
lighter than average (178 grams)
environment proof
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
54
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (22mm)
very long reach (580mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (595 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography advice
Pentax X-5 Landscape photography advice
49
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
47
manual focus
relatively wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging features
Pentax X-5 Vlogging features
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (178g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
27
relatively wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have external mic support
heavier than competition in class (595g)
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax X-5
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax X-5
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax X-5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-09-12 2012-08-22
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230 thousand dots
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 9.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178g (0.39 pounds) 595g (1.31 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life - 330 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $210 $230