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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V 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 HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released April 2015
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Pentax RZ18 and Sony HX90V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was released 4 years earlier than the HX90V and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the RZ18 grades against the HX90V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sony HX90V

 RZ18 HX90V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Pentax RZ18

 HX90V RZ18 
ReleasedApril 2015September 2011Fresher by 43 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sony HX90V

 RZ18 HX90V 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax RZ18 offers external 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 HX90V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check the Pentax RZ18 and Sony HX90V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the RZ18 versus the HX90V.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the RZ18 and HX90V is 92 and 91 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing only by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the RZ18 and HX90V.

As you can tell, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony HX90V to show more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older RZ18 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography factors
Sony HX90V Portrait photography factors
36
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX90V as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
69
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Sports photography info
Sony HX90V Sports photography info
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
57
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
features tracking focus
great battery power (360 CIPA)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax RZ18
Travel photography with Sony HX90V
71
lighter than competitors in class (178 grams)
environment sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
76
great battery power (360 shots)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
no Timelapse recording
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography information
Sony HX90V Landscape photography information
49
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
environment sealing
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
53
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
great battery power (360 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging features
Sony HX90V Vlogging features
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (178g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
75
decently wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no microphone socket
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Sony HX90V
 Pentax Optio RZ18Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio RZ18 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-09-12 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 4cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 2.80 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 life - 360 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $210 $440