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Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Nikon S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon S9300
  • Renewed by Nikon S9700
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
  • Launched March 2011
Photography Glossary

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Nikon S9500 versus Pentax RS1500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the S9500 (18MP) and RS1500 (14MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was revealed 23 months later than the RS1500 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple overview of how the S9500 scores against the RS1500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Pentax RS1500

 S9500 RS1500 
LaunchedJanuary 2013March 2011Fresher by 23 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kClearer display (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Nikon S9500

 RS1500 S9500 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Pentax RS1500

 S9500 RS1500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon S9500 has exterior measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and 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).

Examine the Nikon S9500 versus Pentax RS1500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the S9500 compared to the RS1500.

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S9500 and RS1500 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The photograph here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S9500 and RS1500.

As you have seen, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon S9500 to give you greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The fresher S9500 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9500 Portrait photography info
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography info
31
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
35
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9500 Street photography information
Pentax RS1500 Street photography information
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (205 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
54
environment sealing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Sports photography camera
42
amazing zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
37
decent megapixels (14MP)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competitors in class (205 grams)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (550mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery (230 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
67
environment sealing
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9500 Landscape photography features
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography features
46
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
40
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14MP)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 Vlogging advice
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging advice
36
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (205g)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
25
rather wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
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Nikon S9500 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Pentax RS1500
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S9500 Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-29 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-550mm (22.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 614k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology OLED monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.5fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 grams (0.45 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 260 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $230 $150