Pentax RZ18 vs Sony S2100
92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38


93 Imaging
35 Features
17 Overall
27
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony S2100 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
- Launched September 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
- Launched January 2010

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony S2100 Overview
Here is a thorough comparison of the Pentax RZ18 versus Sony S2100, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and S2100 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The RZ18 was launched 21 months later than the S2100 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the RZ18 matches up against the S2100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony S2100 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio RZ18 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax RZ18 Gallery and Sony S2100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sony S2100
RZ18 | S2100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2011 | ![]() | January 2010 | Fresher by 21 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Pentax RZ18
S2100 | RZ18 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sony S2100
RZ18 | S2100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax RZ18 comes with physical dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Sony S2100 has dimensions of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Compare the Pentax RZ18 versus Sony S2100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the RZ18 against the S2100.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the RZ18 and S2100 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading a spec sheet. The visual underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the RZ18 and S2100.
Clearly, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax RZ18 to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher RZ18 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony S2100 Specifications
Pentax Optio RZ18 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Optio RZ18 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-09-12 | 2010-01-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
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 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-450mm (18.0x) | 33-105mm (3.2x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focus range | 4cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4s | 1s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1200s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 2.80 m | 3.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
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 | 178g (0.39 lb) | 167g (0.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" 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 | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $210 | $0 |