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Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
30
Overall
33

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 110 IS
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 SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SD960 IS (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD960 IS was unveiled 3 years earlier than the RS1500 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a short view of how the SD960 IS grades vs the RS1500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Pentax RS1500

 SD960 IS RS1500 
Display dimensions2.8"2.7"Larger display (+0.1")

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Canon SD960 IS

 RS1500 SD960 IS 
ReleasedMarch 2011February 2009More modern by 25 months
Manually focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Pentax RS1500

 SD960 IS RS1500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and size. The Canon SD960 IS has got exterior dimensions of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) whilst the Pentax RS1500 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SD960 IS compared to the RS1500.

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD960 IS and RS1500 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes merely by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD960 IS and RS1500.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Pentax RS1500 to show greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD960 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Portrait photography information
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography information
26
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Street photography info
Pentax RS1500 Street photography info
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Sports photography info
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
36
good MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD960 IS
Travel photography with Pentax RS1500
58
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
weather sealing
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Landscape photography info
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography info
36
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (2.8 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
40
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good MP (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Vlogging factors
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging factors
30
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
25
fairly wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
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Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Pentax RS1500
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISPentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Pentax Optio RS1500
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 110 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-02-18 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.8 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 145 grams (0.32 lbs) 157 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 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 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-4L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price - $150