Olympus FE-47 vs Pentax Optio RS1500: Which Small Sensor Compact Camera Fits Your Photography Journey?

Choosing between compact cameras like the Olympus FE-47 and the Pentax Optio RS1500 might seem straightforward at first glance. Both aim to offer pocketable convenience with modest photographic capabilities. But the devil, as always, is in the details: lens performance, sensor efficiency, ergonomics, and real-world usability can make a meaningful difference on your creative path.

Having tested thousands of cameras including these models, we’re here to bring you an expert, hands-on comparison. We’ll dive beyond spec sheets into how each camera performs across a variety of photography styles, highlight their strengths and limitations, and help you decide which one fits your personal needs.

Let’s embark on this detailed exploration.

Compact Size with Distinct Personality: Handling and Ergonomics

When it comes to compact cameras, size and handling often shape your shooting experience, especially for travel or street photography where discretion and ease of use matter.

The Olympus FE-47 feels a bit more chunky and heavier, partly due to its use of two AA batteries. This can be a pro if you value easy battery swaps during travel but a con if you want lightweight gear. The Pentax RS1500 is more svelte and pocket-friendly. Interestingly, Pentax opts for a dedicated rechargeable battery, offering longer life but requiring charging access.

From an ergonomic perspective, both cameras lack advanced manual controls and physical dials, but Pentax incorporates manual focus - a rare feature in this compact segment - which hints at a bit more photographic flexibility.

If you value portability and a lighter kit without sacrificing basic manual control, the RS1500 takes the ergonomic crown. However, if battery availability on the go is your priority, Olympus’s AA-powered system may feel more practical.

Lens and Focal Range: Flexibility for Everyday Shooting

Both cameras come with fixed zoom lenses typical of the compact class, but differences in focal range and aperture shape their versatility.

The Olympus’s longer telephoto reach is suited to casual wildlife or close-up sports snapshots. Yet, its 36mm wide end is less expansive compared to the Pentax’s 28mm start, which lends itself better to landscapes and street scenes.

A standout feature in the Pentax is its impressive macro focusing down to 1cm, allowing you to get closer to tiny subjects with sharpness - a boon for flower or insect photography.

Neither lens offers wide apertures for significant background separation or low-light advantage, reflecting their entry-level positioning. Still, their zoom versatility covers everyday shooting needs for novice users.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Capture

With compact cameras, sensor size and quality dictate the potential for detailed, low-noise images. Both Olympus and Pentax use 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors with 14MP resolution. Let’s see how they stack up.

Both capture roughly the same pixel count and sensor area, meaning fundamentally similar raw data potential, but the Pentax offers a broader ISO sensitivity range, maxing out at ISO 6400 compared to Olympus’s ISO 1600.

In practice, however, both CCD-based sensors perform best at lower ISOs (up to 400-800). Above this, image noise and softness become pronounced. Pentax’s higher ISO ceiling is more of a specification highlight than a strong practical advantage, as noise control remains limited due to sensor technology and lack of advanced processing.

We found the Pentax RS1500 delivers slightly better dynamic range in shadow detail, likely due to sensor tuning and processor differences - though both struggle in high-contrast scenes common in landscape photography.

Neither camera supports RAW capture, restricting your ability to manipulate exposure and color during post-processing - a significant limitation for enthusiasts craving full creative control.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Precision Tested

Autofocus (AF) capabilities define how well a camera adapts to moving subjects or challenging lighting. Both cameras employ contrast-detection AF, which is the norm in compact cameras but slower compared to phase-detection systems found in higher-end models.

The Pentax’s 9-point AF coverage surpasses the Olympus's unspecified multi-area system, offering slightly more flexibility in framing focus points. Manual focus in the Pentax gives you extended control - a rare trait at this price and sensor size - helping with macro or deliberate focusing tasks.

Both lack continuous AF, limiting smooth following of fast-moving subjects. We found shutter lag and AF speed acceptable for casual snapshots but inadequate for sports or wildlife photography demanding rapid responsiveness.

Display and User Interface: Your Window to the Scene

With tiny sensors and limited controls, the LCD screen becomes your primary composing and reviewing tool.

Both cameras feature fixed 2.7-inch screens with identical 230k resolution - basic but serviceable for review and framing.

However, Pentax’s anti-reflective coating improves usability in bright outdoor conditions, reducing glare - a subtle but important advantage when shooting outside.

Neither offers an electronic viewfinder, so composing under direct sunlight can be challenging. Although fixed, these LCDs provide live view with contrast-detection AF, consistent with their class.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Functional

Video is becoming a useful secondary feature on compact cameras. Here’s how they compare for video capture:

The Pentax Optio RS1500 is a clear winner in video resolution, capturing HD 720p footage versus Olympus’s VGA 480p maximum. This matters if you plan to shoot casual video blogging or family videos with better clarity.

Neither camera supports advanced video features such as in-body stabilization, microphone input, or high frame rate video, confirming their entry-level video suitability.

Battery and Storage: Practical Considerations for Shutter-Happy Photographers

Power and storage impact how long you can shoot and how much you can capture.

AA batteries in the Olympus provide a universal power option, especially convenient in remote locations. However, their runtime compared to specialized rechargeable packs is often shorter, and carrying spares can add weight.

The Pentax’s dedicated lithium-ion battery offers impressive rated performance (~260 shots per charge) but requires charging access, which may limit convenience during extended travel.

Storage for both cameras supports SD cards; Pentax also supports SDXC, allowing larger capacity cards - handy for longer shooting sessions or higher resolution videos.

Build Quality and Durability: How Tough Are They?

Compact cameras often handle casual use but vary in environmental resilience.

This is a surprising differentiation: the Pentax Optio RS1500 includes weather sealing, offering some resistance to light moisture and dust. This is a strong practical advantage for outdoor photographers who want a modestly rugged camera without stepping up to specialized rugged models.

The Olympus lacks any such sealing, requiring extra caution in unpredictable environments.

Real-World Performance and Photographic Genres

Let's see how these cameras perform in different photography types based on their features and our hands-on tests.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus FE-47: With a fixed lens max aperture of f/3.5–5.6 and no face or eye detection AF, producing creamy bokeh and sharp eye focus can be challenging. The 14MP CCD sensor renders decent color but may suffer in low light.

• Pentax Optio RS1500: The slightly wider lens and manual focus option help with composition and focusing. However, absence of face detection limits autofocus precision on moving subjects.

Recommendation: Neither camera excels in advanced portraiture. Choose Pentax if you want manual focus control for creative effects.

Landscape Photography

• The Pentax’s wider 28mm focal length and very slight edge in dynamic range make it more suitable for landscapes. Weather sealing enhances reliability outdoors.

• Both cameras have similar detail resolution but struggle with bright highlights and shadow details under harsh lighting.

Recommendation: Pentax RS1500 is preferable for casual landscape shooters.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Neither camera supports fast continuous shooting or robust AF tracking needed for action. Olympus's extended 180mm telephoto may help capture distant subjects.

• AF lag and absence of continuous focus make both unsuitable for serious wildlife or sports photography.

Recommendation: Use Olympus for casual telephoto snaps; otherwise, consider more specialized cameras.

Street Photography

• Pentax’s smaller footprint, lighter weight, and wider angle (28mm) are advantages for discreet shooting.

• Both cameras lack fast autofocus or high ISO performance needed for low light street scenes, but Pentax’s higher ISO range may help under urban lighting.

Recommendation: Pentax RS1500 edges out for street use.

Macro Photography

• Pentax’s 1cm macro focusing distance is a clear advantage for capturing fine details.

• Olympus limits macro to 3cm, providing less creative scope.

Recommendation: Pentax is the better option for macro enthusiasts on a budget.

Night and Astro Photography

• Both cameras struggle above ISO 800 due to sensor noise.

• Limited shutter speed options restrict star trail or long exposure photography.

Recommendation: Neither camera is ideal; Pentax’s higher max ISO is nominal but insufficient in practice.

Video Content Creation

• Pentax supports HD video at 720p, making it usable for basic vlogging.

• Olympus capped at VGA resolution, largely obsolete by today’s standards.

Recommendation: Pentax Optio RS1500 wins for video content beginners.

Travel Photography

• Olympus’s AA battery system provides power convenience in remote areas.

• Pentax offers better portability and weather sealing but requires battery charging.

Recommendation: Choose Olympus for adventurous trips; Pentax for urban and mixed environments.

Professional Work

• Neither supports RAW files, limiting post-production workflows.

• Lack of manual exposure modes restricts creative control.

Recommendation: Neither is suited for professional use, but Pentax’s manual focus offers minimal flexibility.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Pentax’s HDMI output can connect to external monitors, which is useful for reviewing photos or videos in more detail - a feature not present in Olympus.

Neither camera offers wireless transfers or GPS - which would be helpful for travel photographers.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Investment

Considering current market availability and prices, Olympus FE-47 stands as a budget option, great for casual users or beginners who want a simple point-and-shoot.

Pentax Optio RS1500, costing a bit more, provides several enhancements: weather sealing, manual focus, HD video, and higher ISO range, justifying the price jump if those improvements align with your needs.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s visualize the performance breakdown for each camera across the main photographic styles.

As you can see, Pentax generally scores better in landscapes, macro, video, and travel, while Olympus leans towards casual telephoto and battery convenience.

Sample Images: Real-World Image Quality Comparison

Viewing sample images from both cameras side-by-side illustrates their color reproduction, sharpness, and noise behavior.

Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back Pentax RS1500 front Pentax RS1500 screen back

• The Pentax RS1500 images show slightly richer color contrast and better shadow detail.

• Olympus FE-47 photos captured at equivalent ISO and lighting appear flatter with more noise at higher sensitivity.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Olympus FE-47 if:

• You want a very affordable, straightforward compact with longer telephoto reach
• You prioritize easy AA battery replacement over battery recharge convenience
• You’re a casual snapshot taker without interest in manual controls or advanced features

Choose Pentax Optio RS1500 if:

• You want more photographic control including manual focus and custom white balance
• You want weather sealing for occasional outdoor use
• You desire HD video recording and a wider field of view for landscapes and street
• You seek better macro photography capabilities

Wrapping Up: The Best Small Sensor Compact for Your Creative Journey

Both Olympus FE-47 and Pentax Optio RS1500 offer entry-level photographic experiences that can help you get started or maintain simple shooting needs. They are not replacements for higher-end compacts or mirrorless systems but serve distinct niches.

Pentax RS1500 pushes the envelope within small sensor compacts with some added flexibility - manual focus, weather resistance, and HD video. Olympus FE-47 relies on simplicity, ease of use, and battery convenience.

We recommend you consider your primary usage scenarios carefully. If you value more manual control and a wider zoom starting point with better durability, the Pentax RS1500 deserves your attention. Meanwhile, the Olympus FE-47 remains a low-cost, approachable tool for quick snaps when convenience and telephoto reach matter more.

Expert Tips for Getting the Most from Either Camera

• Use a tripod whenever possible - especially for macro, landscape, or low light - to compensate for limited image stabilization.

• Turn off high ISO modes above 800 to minimize noise.

• Practice framing and manual focus (Pentax) to gain creative edge.

• Shoot in well-lit conditions for best color and detail.

• Invest in fast SD cards to improve buffer handling, especially with video.

Ready to see these cameras in action?

Check out store demos and online galleries to test handling and image quality firsthand. Paired with the right accessories, either can be a charming companion for your photographic exploration.

Happy shooting!