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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-7 front
Portability
84
Imaging
64
Features
71
Overall
66

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 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
  • Released September 2011
Sony NEX-7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Revealed December 2011
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) and the RZ18 (1/2.3") and NEX-7 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

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The RZ18 was announced 3 months prior to the NEX-7 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the RZ18 grades versus the NEX-7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sony NEX-7

 RZ18 NEX-7 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Pentax RZ18

 NEX-7 RZ18 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sony NEX-7

 RZ18 NEX-7 
RevealedSeptember 2011December 2011Similar generation
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax RZ18 comes with exterior 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) while the Sony NEX-7 has measurements of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the RZ18 vs the NEX-7.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and NEX-7 is 92 and 84 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the RZ18 and NEX-7.

All in all, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The RZ18 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony NEX-7 will deliver greater detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-7 Portrait photography factors
36
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
78
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-7 Street photography factors
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
76
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-7 as a Sports photography camera
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
62
good MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (430 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-7 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
weather proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
70
great battery (430 per charge)
good MP (24MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-7
49
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
weather proofing
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
good MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (430 shots)
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-7 Vlogging info
30
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
35
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Sony NEX-7
 Pentax Optio RZ18Sony Alpha NEX-7
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Sony Alpha NEX-7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2011-09-12 2011-12-13
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 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 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178g (0.39 lbs) 400g (0.88 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 81
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1016
Other
Battery life - 430 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $210 $699