Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX5
92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38


92 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX5 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Released June 2010

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX5 Overview
Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the RZ18 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") provide different sensor measurements.

The RZ18 was released 16 months later than the HX5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the RZ18 grades vs the HX5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX5 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio RZ18 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax RZ18 Gallery and Sony HX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sony HX5
RZ18 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More recent by 16 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Pentax RZ18
HX5 | RZ18 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sony HX5
RZ18 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax RZ18 enjoys physical measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the RZ18 versus the HX5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and HX5 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison
Usually, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements only by checking technical specs. The visual here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the RZ18 and HX5.
As you have seen, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The RZ18 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Pentax RZ18 will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher RZ18 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX5 Specifications
Pentax Optio RZ18 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Optio RZ18 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2011-09-12 | 2010-06-16 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3456 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-450mm (18.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus range | 4cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 2.80 m | 3.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 178 gr (0.39 lbs) | 200 gr (0.44 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery model | D-LI92 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $210 | $275 |