Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A500
93 Imaging
37 Features
30 Overall
34
63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A500 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)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Introduced August 2009
- Renewed by Sony A560
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A500 Overview
Following is a detailed analysis of the Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A500, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the RS1500 (14MP) and the A500 (12MP) is relatively similar but the RS1500 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe RS1500 was launched 19 months after the A500 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the RS1500 matches up versus the A500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Photography Glossary Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A500 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio RS1500 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax RS1500 Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony A500
| RS1500 | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | March 2011 |  | August 2009 | More modern by 19 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax RS1500
| A500 | RS1500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony A500
| RS1500 | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | More accurate focusing | ||
| Screen resolution | 230k |  | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
| Selfie screen |  | Lacking selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Neither features Touch screen |
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax RS1500 enjoys external dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
See the Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the RS1500 vs the A500.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the RS1500 and A500 is 93 and 63 respectively.
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading specifications. The picture below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the RS1500 and A500.
Plainly, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The RS1500 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax RS1500 will deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The more recent RS1500 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesStreet Comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneSports Comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsTravel Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesLandscape Comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoVlogging Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A500 Specifications
| Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2011-03-16 | 2009-08-27 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4272 x 2848 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 200 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | 28-110mm (3.9x) | - |
| Max aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | - |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
| Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen sizing | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand 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% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.90 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
| 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 | None |
| Video file 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 | 157 grams (0.35 lb) | 630 grams (1.39 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 64 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.6 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 772 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 260 photos | 520 photos |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI92 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Launch cost | $150 | $638 |