• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 450.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Pentax RZ18

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 450 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax RZ18 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 86 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    190g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Pentax RZ-18

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX10 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX10 IS

Pentax RZ18
Canon SX10 IS
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax RZ18 vs Canon SX10 IS

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX1 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX1 IS

Pentax RZ18
Canon SX1 IS
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax RZ18 vs Canon SX1 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Canon SX20 IS
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Pentax RZ18
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Pentax RZ18 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Nikon S9100

Canon SX20 IS
Nikon S9100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100

Pentax RZ18
Nikon S9100
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • More pixels
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax RZ18 vs Nikon S9100

Compared to Sony H90

Canon SX20 IS
Sony H90
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Sony H90

Pentax RZ18
Sony H90
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compare Pentax RZ18 vs Sony H90

Compare Other Cameras?