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Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
 
Samsung NX100 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100 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
  • Launched March 2011
Samsung NX100
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 282g - 120 x 71 x 35mm
  • Launched September 2010
  • Successor is Samsung NX200
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Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Pentax RS1500 versus Samsung NX100, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Samsung. The image resolution of the RS1500 (14MP) and the NX100 (15MP) is very similar but the RS1500 (1/2.3") and NX100 (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

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The RS1500 was launched 7 months after the NX100 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the RS1500 scores against the NX100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Samsung NX100

 RS1500 NX100 
LaunchedMarch 2011September 2010Newer by 7 months

Reasons to pick Samsung NX100 over the Pentax RS1500

 NX100 RS1500 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kCrisper display (+384k dot)

Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Samsung NX100

 RS1500 NX100 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax RS1500 provides outside dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Samsung NX100 has dimensions of 120mm x 71mm x 35mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 282 grams (0.62 lbs).

Examine the Pentax RS1500 versus Samsung NX100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the RS1500 vs the NX100.

Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the RS1500 and NX100 is 93 and 88 respectively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions purely by going over technical specs. The image below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the RS1500 and NX100.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The RS1500 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Samsung NX100 will offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent RS1500 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100 sensor size comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung NX100 as a Portrait photography camera
35
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Street photography highlights
Samsung NX100 Street photography highlights
54
environment proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
76
built in image stabilization
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
Sports photography with Samsung NX100
37
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
60
built in image stabilization
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery power (420 per charge)
slow fps (3.0 fps)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Travel photography details
Samsung NX100 Travel photography details
67
environment proof
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
66
good battery power (420 per charge)
resolution is good (15MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography highlights
Samsung NX100 Landscape photography highlights
40
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
75
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (420 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Vlogging information
Samsung NX100 Vlogging information
25
rather wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
31
built in image stabilization
includes face detection autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
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Pentax RS1500 vs Samsung NX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RS1500 and Samsung NX100
 Pentax Optio RS1500Samsung NX100
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax Optio RS1500 Samsung NX100
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-03-16 2010-09-14
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - DRIMe Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 15
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens zoom range 28-110mm (3.9x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 614 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating VGA AMOLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.90 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157 gr (0.35 pounds) 282 gr (0.62 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 120 x 71 x 35mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 62
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 563
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 420 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $150 $386