Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A290
93 Imaging
37 Features
30 Overall
34
66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Previous Model is Sony A230
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A290 Overview
The following is a detailed review of the Pentax RS1500 and Sony A290, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the RS1500 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty similar but the RS1500 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) have different sensor size.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe RS1500 was announced 10 months after the A290 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief summary of how the RS1500 scores versus the A290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio RS1500 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The whole galleries are available at Pentax RS1500 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony A290
| RS1500 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | March 2011 |  | June 2010 | Newer by 10 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax RS1500
| A290 | RS1500 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony A290
| RS1500 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Very accurate focus | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen dimensions | 2.7" |  | 2.7" | Equal screen size |
| Screen resolution | 230k |  | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Lacking Touch screen |
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax RS1500 features 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 Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Check the Pentax RS1500 and Sony A290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the RS1500 versus the A290.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RS1500 and A290 is 93 and 66 respectively.
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The picture underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the RS1500 and A290.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same megapixels albeit different sensor dimensions. The RS1500 contains the tinier sensor which should make getting bokeh trickier. The younger RS1500 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoStreet Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banSports Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideTravel Comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneLandscape Comparison
Photography GlossaryVlogging Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2011-03-16 | 2010-06-09 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | 28-110mm (3.9x) | - |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | - |
| Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
| Number of lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 2.7" | 2.7" |
| Screen resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.90 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | - |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
| 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 | 157g (0.35 pounds) | 549g (1.21 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.5 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 615 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 260 pictures | 290 pictures |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI92 | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch cost | $150 | $600 |