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Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

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
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Launched August 2005
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Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Pentax RS1500 and Pentax ist DS2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are created by Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the RS1500 (14MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the RS1500 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

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The RS1500 was revealed 5 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the RS1500 scores vs the ist DS2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Pentax ist DS2

 RS1500 ist DS2 
LaunchedMarch 2011August 2005Newer by 68 months
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kClearer display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax RS1500

 ist DS2 RS1500 

Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Pentax ist DS2

 RS1500 ist DS2 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax RS1500 has external dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Compare the Pentax RS1500 and Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the RS1500 against the ist DS2.

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the RS1500 and ist DS2 is 93 and 68 respectively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over specifications. The pic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the RS1500 and ist DS2.

To sum up, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The RS1500 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax RS1500 will offer you extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively. The more modern RS1500 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
35
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
50
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Street photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography highlights
54
environment proof
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others in class (605g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
37
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Travel photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography highlights
67
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
52
lighter than others in class (605 grams)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography features
40
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5")
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Vlogging details
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging details
25
rather wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
22
lighter than others in class (605g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video ( pixels)
no mic support
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Pentax RS1500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RS1500 and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax Optio RS1500Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio RS1500 Pentax ist DS2
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-03-16 2005-08-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 28-110mm (3.9x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.90 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157g (0.35 lb) 605g (1.33 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $150 -