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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Canon A3100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is very close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was revealed 14 months before the RS1500 making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the A3100 IS scores vs the RS1500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Pentax RS1500

 A3100 IS RS1500 

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Canon A3100 IS

 RS1500 A3100 IS 
ReleasedMarch 2011January 2010Newer by 14 months
Focus manually More exact focus

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax RS1500

 A3100 IS RS1500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon A3100 IS offers physical measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Pentax RS1500 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax RS1500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the A3100 IS versus the RS1500.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and RS1500 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through technical specs. The image below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and RS1500.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax RS1500 to result in more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged A3100 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography factors
21
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3100 IS
Street photography with Pentax RS1500
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
weather proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography details
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography details
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography details
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography details
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
67
weather proofing
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography advice
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
40
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging information
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging information
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic socket
25
rather wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Pentax RS1500
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-05 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165 gr (0.36 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life - 260 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-8L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $159 $150