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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
79
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Olympus SP-610UZ front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Olympus SP-610UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-616mm (F3.3-5.7) lens
  • 405g - 107 x 73 x 73mm
  • Launched January 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
  • New Model is Olympus SP-620 UZ
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
  • Introduced March 2011
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus SP-610UZ versus Pentax RS1500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SP-610UZ (14MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SP-610UZ was launched 2 months before the RS1500 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the SP-610UZ matches up against the RS1500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-610UZ over the Pentax RS1500

 SP-610UZ RS1500 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Olympus SP-610UZ

 RS1500 SP-610UZ 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus SP-610UZ and Pentax RS1500

 SP-610UZ RS1500 
IntroducedJanuary 2011March 2011Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-610UZ features outer dimensions of 107mm x 73mm x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") with a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) while 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).

Check the Olympus SP-610UZ versus Pentax RS1500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SP-610UZ vs the RS1500.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-610UZ and RS1500 is 79 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-610UZ and RS1500.

Clearly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same MP and you should expect comparable quality of images though you need to take the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Portrait photography features
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography features
28
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
35
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
Street photography with Pentax RS1500
50
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
54
weather proof
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Sports photography information
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography information
39
amazing zoom range (28-616mm 22.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
good resolution (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Travel photography camera
61
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long zoom (616mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
67
weather proof
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Landscape photography features
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography features
40
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
40
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good resolution (14MP)
weather proof
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Vlogging advice
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging advice
26
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
25
fairly wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-610UZ and Pentax RS1500
 Olympus SP-610UZPentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-610UZ Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-06 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-616mm (22.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in 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
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 405g (0.89 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 107 x 73 x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") 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 340 photos 260 photos
Battery format AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $299 $150