Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W290
92 Imaging
38 Features
37 Overall
37
94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W290 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
- Introduced September 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
- Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W290 Overview
Following is a detailed review of the Pentax RZ18 and Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe RZ18 was revealed 2 years after the W290 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the RZ18 grades versus the W290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio RZ18 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The full galleries are provided at Pentax RZ18 Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sony W290
| RZ18 | W290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | September 2011 |  | February 2009 | More modern by 32 months |
| Screen resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax RZ18
| W290 | RZ18 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sony W290
| RZ18 | W290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Very accurate focus | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal screen size |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Missing Touch screen |
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about 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) while the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax RZ18 and Sony W290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the RZ18 vs the W290.
Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and W290 is 92 and 94 respectively.
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing technical specs. The picture here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the RZ18 and W290.
As you can tell, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Pentax RZ18 to offer you more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher RZ18 provides a benefit in sensor technology.
Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W290 Specifications
| Pentax Optio RZ18 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Optio RZ18 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 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 area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
| Anti aliasing 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 format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 25-450mm (18.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focus range | 4cm | 10cm |
| Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k 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 | 4s | 2s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 2.80 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
| 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 | 178 gr (0.39 lb) | 167 gr (0.37 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| 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 model | D-LI92 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Price at release | $210 | $230 |