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Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67
Pentax K-5 II front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-5
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
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Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Pentax K-5 II and Pentax RS1500, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Pentax. The resolution of the K-5 II (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty close but the K-5 II (APS-C) and RS1500 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.

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The K-5 II was released 2 years after the RS1500 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple overview of how the K-5 II scores vs the RS1500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Pentax RS1500

 K-5 II RS1500 
IntroducedJune 2013March 2011More modern by 28 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Pentax K-5 II

 RS1500 K-5 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Pentax RS1500

 K-5 II RS1500 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-5 II offers outer dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Pentax RS1500 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-5 II and Pentax RS1500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the K-5 II compared to the RS1500.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 II and RS1500 is 60 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes simply by viewing a spec sheet. The image underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 II and RS1500.

Clearly, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-5 II due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-5 II will provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent K-5 II should have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography factors
74
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
35
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-5 II
Street photography with Pentax RS1500
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
54
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Sports photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography advice
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
37
MP count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Travel photography details
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography details
65
environment proof
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
67
environment sealing
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography information
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography information
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
40
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
environment sealing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-5 II
Vlogging with Pentax RS1500
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
25
fairly wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
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Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 II and Pentax RS1500
 Pentax K-5 IIPentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-5 II Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-06-04 2011-03-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest boosted ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760 grams (1.68 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1235 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 images 260 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI92
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $830 $150