Pentax K-r vs Pentax RS1500

Below is a thorough analysis of the Pentax K-r and Pentax RS1500, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are designed by Pentax. The resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the K-r (APS-C) and RS1500 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-r was announced within a month of the RS1500 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the K-r scores versus the RS1500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-r and Pentax Optio RS1500. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax K-r Gallery and Pentax RS1500 Gallery.

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-r offers outer dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-r and Pentax RS1500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-r against the RS1500.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K-r and RS1500 is 67 and 93 respectively.

Generally, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements only by going through specs. The photograph here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-r and RS1500.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The K-r with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax RS1500 will produce extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively.