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Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax Q

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

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
  • Announced March 2011
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Announced June 2011
  • Renewed by Pentax Q10
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Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax Q Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Pentax RS1500 versus Pentax Q, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are designed by Pentax. The resolution of the RS1500 (14MP) and the Q (12MP) is very similar and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The RS1500 was announced 3 months prior to the Q so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the RS1500 grades against the Q with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Pentax Q

 RS1500 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax RS1500

 Q RS1500 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Pentax Q

 RS1500 Q 
AnnouncedMarch 2011June 2011Similar age
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax RS1500 comes with outer dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

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

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the RS1500 and the Q.

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RS1500 and Q is 93 and 93 respectively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by going over technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the RS1500 and Q.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Pentax RS1500 to deliver extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q Portrait photography advice
35
focusing manually
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
45
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Street photography factors
Pentax Q Street photography factors
54
environment proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than average (180g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Sports photography advice
Pentax Q Sports photography advice
37
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Travel photography details
Pentax Q Travel photography details
67
environment proofing
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
lighter than average (180g)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax Q Landscape photography highlights
40
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse function
51
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Vlogging information
Pentax Q Vlogging information
25
really wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (180 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone socket
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Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RS1500 and Pentax Q
 Pentax Optio RS1500Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio RS1500 Pentax Q
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-03-16 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 28-110mm (3.9x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.90 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 grams (0.35 pounds) 180 grams (0.40 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 260 shots 230 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $150 $695