Clicky

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 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
  • Revealed September 2011
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Launched September 2014
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Pentax RZ18 versus Sony QX30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Lens-style by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is fairly close and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The RZ18 was released 4 years earlier than the QX30 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the RZ18 matches up vs the QX30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

        

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sony QX30

 RZ18 QX30 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display dimensions3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution460k0kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Pentax RZ18

 QX30 RZ18 
LaunchedSeptember 2014September 2011More modern by 36 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sony QX30

 RZ18 QX30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax RZ18 provides exterior measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony QX30 has dimensions of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax RZ18 versus Sony QX30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the RZ18 vs the QX30.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and QX30 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching specifications. The image below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the RZ18 and QX30.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony QX30 to result in greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged RZ18 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
Sony QX30 Portrait photography highlights
36
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
38
decent MP (20 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography advice
Sony QX30 Street photography advice
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competitors (178g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Sports photography advice
Sony QX30 Sports photography advice
47
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Travel photography information
Sony QX30 Travel photography information
71
lighter than competitors (178g)
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
65
features touch to focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
Landscape photography with Sony QX30
49
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proof
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
39
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen ( inches)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery pack (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging details
Sony QX30 Vlogging details
30
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (178g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Sony QX30
 Pentax Optio RZ18Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio RZ18 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Lens-style
Revealed 2011-09-12 2014-09-03
Physical type Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-6.3
Macro focus distance 4cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" -
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 0 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 2.80 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft None
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lbs) 193 gr (0.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 200 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots One One
Price at release $210 $348