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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-S1
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

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are designed by Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the K-S2 (20MP) and RS1500 (14MP) and the K-S2 (APS-C) and RS1500 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The K-S2 was brought out 3 years after the RS1500 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the K-S2 matches up against the RS1500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Pentax RS1500

 K-S2 RS1500 
ReleasedFebruary 2015March 2011Newer by 48 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Pentax K-S2

 RS1500 K-S2 

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Pentax RS1500

 K-S2 RS1500 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-S2 comes with exterior dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the K-S2 against the RS1500.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-S2 and RS1500 is 64 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by going through specs. The picture here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-S2 and RS1500.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-S2 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax K-S2 will show greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The newer K-S2 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography info
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography info
78
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
35
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Street photography camera
72
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (678 grams)
54
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames/s)
bad battery power (410 CIPA)
37
MP count good (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography highlights
65
weather proof
good resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery power (410 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (678 grams)
67
weather proofing
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography information
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography information
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proof
bad battery power (410 per charge)
40
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Vlogging features
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging features
71
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic jack
heavier than competition in class (678g)
25
relatively wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Pentax RS1500
 Pentax K-S2Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-S2 Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2015-02-10 2011-03-16
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME MII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 5.4 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 678 gr (1.49 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 410 images 260 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $581 $150