Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30
92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38


91 Imaging
45 Features
37 Overall
41
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Optio RZ18 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax RZ18 Gallery and Sony QX30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sony QX30
RZ18 | QX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | " | Larger display (+3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 0k | Crisper display (+460k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Pentax RZ18
QX30 | RZ18 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2014 | ![]() | September 2011 | More modern by 36 months |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sony QX30
RZ18 | QX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony QX30 Specifications
Pentax Optio RZ18 | Sony 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 |