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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Announced September 2011
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5R
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Pentax RZ18 versus Sony NEX-5N, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively well matched but the RZ18 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The RZ18 was introduced very close to the NEX-5N and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the RZ18 grades against the NEX-5N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sony NEX-5N

 RZ18 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Pentax RZ18

 NEX-5N RZ18 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sony NEX-5N

 RZ18 NEX-5N 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011October 2011Similar generation
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax RZ18 enjoys external 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) while the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Pentax RZ18 versus Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the RZ18 against the NEX-5N.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RZ18 and NEX-5N is 92 and 89 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the RZ18 and NEX-5N.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The RZ18 features the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field harder.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography factors
36
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
73
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Street photography advice
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
58
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
71
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
better than average battery life (460 shots)
comes with focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography details
49
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
71
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (460 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
30
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
33
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no microphone port
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Sony NEX-5N
 Pentax Optio RZ18Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-09-12 2011-10-03
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lbs) 269 gr (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 77
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $210 $550