Pentax RZ18 vs Sony A700

Below is a in-depth assessment of the Pentax RZ18 versus Sony A700, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and A700 (12MP) and the RZ18 (1/2.3") and A700 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The RZ18 was introduced 3 years later than the A700 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the RZ18 scores against the A700 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio RZ18 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A700. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax RZ18 Gallery & Sony A700 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax RZ18 has got outer 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) and the Sony A700 has dimensions of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") with a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax RZ18 versus Sony A700 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the RZ18 vs the A700.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and A700 is 92 and 58 respectively.

In many cases, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over a spec sheet. The visual below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the RZ18 and A700.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The RZ18 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax RZ18 will deliver more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger RZ18 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.