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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550 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 W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Pentax RZ18 versus Sony W550, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the RZ18 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The RZ18 was manufactured 2 months later than the W550 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the RZ18 grades versus the W550 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Sony W550

 RZ18 W550 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Pentax RZ18

 W550 RZ18 

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Sony W550

 RZ18 W550 
LaunchedSeptember 2011July 2011Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. 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 W550 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax RZ18 versus Sony W550 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the RZ18 compared to the W550.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and W550 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements simply by going through specs. The graphic below will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the RZ18 and W550.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax RZ18 to show more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W550 Portrait photography highlights
36
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography information
Sony W550 Street photography information
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
Sports photography with Sony W550
46
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Travel photography advice
Sony W550 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
weather sealing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
65
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography advice
Sony W550 Landscape photography advice
49
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
42
rather wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging highlights
Sony W550 Vlogging highlights
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
29
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Pentax RZ18 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Sony W550
 Pentax Optio RZ18Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2011-09-12 2011-07-24
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance 4cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lb) 110 gr (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One -
Launch cost $210 $119