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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Launched September 2011
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Here is a detailed analysis of the Pentax RZ18 versus Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are produced by Pentax. The resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is very close and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was manufactured 3 years prior to the XG-1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the RZ18 grades against the XG-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax XG-1

 RZ18 XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Pentax RZ18

 XG-1 RZ18 
IntroducedJuly 2014September 2011Fresher by 34 months

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax XG-1

 RZ18 XG-1 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Pentax RZ18 has physical measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Pentax XG-1 has specifications of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Check out the Pentax RZ18 versus Pentax XG-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the RZ18 compared to the XG-1.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the RZ18 and XG-1 is 92 and 66 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the RZ18 and XG-1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP so you can expect comparable quality of photographs however you should take the launch date of the cameras into account. The older RZ18 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography highlights
36
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
40
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax RZ18
Street photography with Pentax XG-1
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
lighter than others in class (178 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Sports photography information
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography information
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (240 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
Travel photography with Pentax XG-1
71
lighter than others in class (178g)
environment proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
52
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (240 shots)
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
Landscape photography with Pentax XG-1
49
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
45
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery (240 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging highlights
Pentax XG-1 Vlogging highlights
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (178 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
25
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax XG-1
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax XG-1
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax XG-1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-09-12 2014-07-15
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focus range 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 2.80 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Highest 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 grams (0.39 lb) 567 grams (1.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
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 - 240 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $210 $599