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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ1 was introduced 10 months later than the RS1500 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SZ1 grades versus the RS1500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax RS1500

 SZ1 RS1500 
RevealedJanuary 2012March 2011More recent by 10 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic SZ1

 RS1500 SZ1 
Manual focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax RS1500

 SZ1 RS1500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 features physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and 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).

See the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax RS1500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ1 against the RS1500.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ1 and RS1500 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The visual below will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and RS1500.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Panasonic SZ1 to result in extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SZ1 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
35
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography features
Pentax RS1500 Street photography features
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
37
good megapixels (14MP)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
environment sealing
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography advice
43
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
40
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good megapixels (14MP)
environment sealing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
25
relatively wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-09 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 131g (0.29 pounds) 157g (0.35 pounds)
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 All around 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 pictures 260 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $179 $150