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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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
  • Released March 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax RS1500, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was unveiled 2 years later than the RS1500 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SZ8 scores versus the RS1500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax RS1500

 SZ8 RS1500 
ReleasedJanuary 2014March 2011Fresher by 35 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic SZ8

 RS1500 SZ8 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax RS1500

 SZ8 RS1500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 features outside measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and 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).

Look at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax RS1500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ8 vs the RS1500.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and RS1500 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specifications. The photograph below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and RS1500.

To sum up, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ8 to deliver more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The newer SZ8 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
Portrait photography with Pentax RS1500
35
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography details
Pentax RS1500 Street photography details
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (159 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
54
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography info
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography info
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
37
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than others (159g)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
67
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Pentax RS1500
42
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
40
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging info
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging info
32
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than others (159g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
25
really wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-01-06 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 gr (0.35 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 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 200 images 260 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $275 $150