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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
79
Overall
65

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5T 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
  • Announced September 2011
Sony NEX-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Pentax RZ18 and Sony NEX-5T, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the NEX-5T (16MP) is fairly comparable but the RZ18 (1/2.3") and NEX-5T (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The RZ18 was revealed 23 months prior to the NEX-5T making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the RZ18 grades versus the NEX-5T in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 RZ18 NEX-5T 

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

 NEX-5T RZ18 
LaunchedAugust 2013September 2011Fresher by 23 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k460kSharper display (+462k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 RZ18 NEX-5T 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5T Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax RZ18 provides external dimensions 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 Sony NEX-5T has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax RZ18 and Sony NEX-5T in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the RZ18 against the NEX-5T.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5T size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and NEX-5T is 92 and 89 respectively.

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

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5T Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The visual underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the RZ18 and NEX-5T.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor sizing. The RZ18 comes with the smaller sensor which will make achieving bokeh more challenging. The older RZ18 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5T sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Portrait photography camera
36
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5T Street photography highlights
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (178g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
80
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
features focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Sports photography camera
46
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
68
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
environment proofing
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
77
features focus by touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5T Landscape photography factors
49
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
70
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax RZ18
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5T
30
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
73
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Sony NEX-5T
 Pentax Optio RZ18Sony Alpha NEX-5T
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Sony Alpha NEX-5T
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-09-12 2013-08-27
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 99
Cross type focus points - 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
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 7.00 m (ISO100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x1080 (60p/60i/24p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178g (0.39 lb) 276g (0.61 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1015
Other
Battery life - 330 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $210 $400