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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Following is a complete analysis of the Panasonic S3 and Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S3 was brought out 2 months earlier than the RS1500 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the S3 matches up versus the RS1500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax RS1500

 S3 RS1500 

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic S3

 RS1500 S3 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax RS1500

 S3 RS1500 
IntroducedJanuary 2011March 2011Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 has got exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax RS1500 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S3 and 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 change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the S3 against the RS1500.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and RS1500 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The pic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S3 and RS1500.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of images however you need to consider the production date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
35
manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography features
Pentax RS1500 Street photography features
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography info
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
37
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography information
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography information
68
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
67
weather sealing
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Landscape photography camera
38
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
40
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging features
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging features
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
25
really wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-05 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV -
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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 117g (0.26 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 250 images 260 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $110 $150