Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A3000

Following is a thorough comparison of the Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A3000, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the RS1500 (14MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the RS1500 (1/2.3") and A3000 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The RS1500 was announced 3 years prior to the A3000 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the RS1500 grades against the A3000 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Optio RS1500 & Sony Alpha A3000. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax RS1500 Gallery & Sony A3000 Gallery.

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax RS1500 provides 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) whilst the Sony A3000 has dimensions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A3000 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the RS1500 and the A3000.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the RS1500 and A3000 is 93 and 69 respectively.

Normally, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through technical specs. The image below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the RS1500 and A3000.

As you can tell, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The RS1500 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A3000 will produce extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged RS1500 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.