• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 450.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax RZ18 advantages over Nikon AW120

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    450 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Nikon AW120 advantages over Pentax RZ18

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    25 mm vs 36 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video

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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax RZ18

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon AW120

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Pentax RZ18
Panasonic ZS8
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster shutter
Nikon AW120
Panasonic ZS8
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to 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
Nikon AW120
Nikon S9100
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to 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
Nikon AW120
Sony H90
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon A1400

Pentax RZ18
Canon A1400
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon AW120
Canon A1400
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon AW130

Pentax RZ18
Nikon AW130
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon AW120
Nikon AW130
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Slow-motion videos
Compare Other Cameras?