Clicky

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31
Olympus SP-600 UZ front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Olympus SP-600 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-420mm (F3.5-5.4) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Replaced the Olympus SP-590 UZ
  • Updated by Olympus SP-610UZ
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax RS1500, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SP-600 UZ (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty close and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SP-600 UZ was launched 13 months prior to the RS1500 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SP-600 UZ matches up vs the RS1500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-600 UZ over the Pentax RS1500

 SP-600 UZ RS1500 

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Olympus SP-600 UZ

 RS1500 SP-600 UZ 
IntroducedMarch 2011February 2010Fresher by 13 months

Common features in the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax RS1500

 SP-600 UZ RS1500 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-600 UZ provides exterior dimensions of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") along with a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) whilst the Pentax RS1500 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax RS1500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SP-600 UZ against the RS1500.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-600 UZ and RS1500 is 69 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching specifications. The graphic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-600 UZ and RS1500.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Pentax RS1500 to render greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The older SP-600 UZ will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-600 UZ
Portrait photography with Pentax RS1500
27
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
35
you can focus manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Street photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Street photography highlights
36
no moving screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
environment sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Sports photography information
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography information
31
great zoom range (28-420mm 15.0 x zoom)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
37
decent MP (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Travel photography details
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography details
51
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (420mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
67
environment sealing
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Landscape photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography highlights
29
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
40
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Vlogging camera
20
fairly wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
25
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax RS1500
 Olympus SP-600 UZPentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SP-600 UZ Pentax Optio RS1500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-02-02 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 143 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-420mm (15.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1/2s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.10 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 455 grams (1.00 lbs) 157 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 260 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $189 $150