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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 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
  • Revealed September 2011
Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Introduced July 2010
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 Overview

Lets look closer at the Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are built by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and X90 (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was introduced 15 months after the X90 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the RZ18 grades versus the X90 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax X90

 RZ18 X90 
IntroducedSeptember 2011July 2010More modern by 15 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Pentax RZ18

 X90 RZ18 

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax X90

 RZ18 X90 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax RZ18 has got physical measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Pentax X90 has measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Compare the Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the RZ18 vs the X90.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RZ18 and X90 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The picture here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the RZ18 and X90.

As you can see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax RZ18 to show extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger RZ18 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography features
Pentax X90 Portrait photography features
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
29
focusing manually
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography advice
Pentax X90 Street photography advice
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than competition (178 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Sports photography details
Pentax X90 Sports photography details
47
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
42
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
Travel photography with Pentax X90
71
lighter than competition (178 grams)
environment sealing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography advice
Pentax X90 Landscape photography advice
49
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
35
focusing manually
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
30
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port
23
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax X90
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax X90
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax X90
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-09-12 2010-07-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 9.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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) 428g (0.94 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3")
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 ID D-LI92 D-L106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $210 $350