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Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Sigma SD9 front
Portability
54
Imaging
39
Features
27
Overall
34

Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9 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
  • Launched September 2011
Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Introduced November 2002
  • Refreshed by Sigma SD10
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9 Overview

The following is a in-depth overview of the Pentax RZ18 and Sigma SD9, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sigma. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and SD9 (3MP) and the RZ18 (1/2.3") and SD9 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The RZ18 was released 8 years after the SD9 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Sigma SD9 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the RZ18 matches up versus the SD9 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sigma SD9

 RZ18 SD9 
IntroducedSeptember 2011November 2002Newer by 108 months
Display dimension3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution460k130kCrisper display (+330k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Pentax RZ18

 SD9 RZ18 

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sigma SD9

 RZ18 SD9 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax RZ18 comes with exterior dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD9 has specifications of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") along with a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).

Compare the Pentax RZ18 and Sigma SD9 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the RZ18 compared to the SD9.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RZ18 and SD9 is 92 and 54 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by going over specifications. The image underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the RZ18 and SD9.

Plainly, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The RZ18 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax RZ18 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 13 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The younger RZ18 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography info
Sigma SD9 Portrait photography info
36
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
47
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
sensor resolution not great (3 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
Sigma SD9 as a Street photography camera
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
lighter than others (178 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
43
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (950g)
max ISO too low (400)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD9 as a Sports photography camera
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
36
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (3 megapixels)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Travel photography features
Sigma SD9 Travel photography features
71
lighter than others (178g)
environment proofing
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
29
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (950 grams)
sensor resolution not great (3 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography info
Sigma SD9 Landscape photography info
49
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
41
manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (1.8 inches)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (3MP)
max ISO too low (400)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
Vlogging with Sigma SD9
30
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (178g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
9
no video shooting
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sigma SD9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Sigma SD9
 Pentax Optio RZ18Sigma SD9
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Sigma SD9
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-09-12 2002-11-26
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 3 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 2268 x 1512
Highest native ISO 6400 400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sigma SA
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 4cm -
Amount of lenses - 76
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 1.8"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 130k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.77x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180s
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 grams (0.39 lb) 950 grams (2.09 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1")
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 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash Type I or II
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $210 $3,001