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Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K20D front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K10D
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
  • Released March 2011
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Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Pentax K20D versus Pentax RS1500, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are produced by Pentax. The resolution of the K20D (15MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty similar but the K20D (APS-C) and RS1500 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The K20D was revealed 3 years before the RS1500 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the K20D scores versus the RS1500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Pentax RS1500

 K20D RS1500 

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Pentax K20D

 RS1500 K20D 
ReleasedMarch 2011June 2008More recent by 33 months

Common features in the Pentax K20D and Pentax RS1500

 K20D RS1500 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K20D has got outer measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Pentax K20D versus Pentax RS1500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the K20D and the RS1500.

Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K20D and RS1500 is 59 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by going over specifications. The graphic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K20D and RS1500.

To sum up, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The K20D with its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Pentax K20D will deliver greater detail because of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older K20D is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K20D as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
35
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K20D Street photography information
Pentax RS1500 Street photography information
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
screen is fixed
54
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K20D
Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
slow fps (3.0 fps)
37
megapixel count good (14MP)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K20D Travel photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography factors
64
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
67
environment sealing
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K20D Landscape photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography factors
70
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
tiny screen (2.7")
40
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14MP)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K20D Vlogging info
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging info
9
can't record video
25
decently wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
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Pentax K20D vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K20D and Pentax RS1500
 Pentax K20DPentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K20D Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2008-06-25 2011-03-16
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4672 x 3104 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum 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 diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - 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 800g (1.76 pounds) 157g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 639 not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI50 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $700 $150