New Pentax Optio RZ18 18x superzoom is revealed

The superzoom digital camera party continues with the new Pentax Optio RZ18, an 18x optical zoom compact-zoom (25-450mm eq) with a 16mp 1/2.3" CCD sensor, 3-inch LCD, 720p video, and a starting price of $300! Yes, this is one of a few cameras whose model number matches its zoom ratio ;-)

Press release parade at DC Resource, Pop Photo, Zone Bridge, Imaging Resource, et al.

This brings the total of new cameras in 2011 to 182 from the major manufacturers. Of those, 19 are interchangeable lens cameras, and 51 are fixed lens cameras with a zoom ratio of 10x or more. The percentage of superzooms among the fixed lens cameras is currently 31% (51 divided by (182-19)). Match that zoom ratio iPhone/smartphones ;-)