Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W230
92 Imaging
38 Features
37 Overall
37
95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W230 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)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Launched February 2009
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Its time to look a little more closely at the Pentax RZ18 and Sony W230, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe RZ18 was launched 2 years after the W230 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a full comparison, here is a short highlight of how the RZ18 matches up vs the W230 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Optio RZ18 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The complete galleries are available at Pentax RZ18 Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sony W230
| RZ18 | W230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | September 2011 | February 2009 | Newer by 32 months | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax RZ18
| W230 | RZ18 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sony W230
| RZ18 | W230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | More accurate focusing | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display measurements | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | No Touch friendly display |
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax RZ18 features outside 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 W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax RZ18 and Sony W230 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the RZ18 against the W230.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RZ18 and W230 is 92 and 95 respectively.
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specs. The image here will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the RZ18 and W230.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Pentax RZ18 to give you more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The newer RZ18 will have a benefit in sensor technology.
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W230 Specifications
| Pentax Optio RZ18 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax Optio RZ18 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2011-09-12 | 2009-02-17 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| 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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-450mm (18.0x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.8-5.8 |
| Macro focusing distance | 4cm | 4cm |
| Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 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 | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 1 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 2.80 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| 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) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| 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 | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 178g (0.39 lb) | 156g (0.34 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery ID | D-LI92 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Pricing at release | $210 | $180 |