Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A550

Here is a extended comparison of the Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A550, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the RS1500 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the RS1500 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The RS1500 was launched 16 months later than the A550 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the RS1500 matches up against the A550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio RS1500 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The complete galleries are available at Pentax RS1500 Gallery & Sony A550 Gallery.

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Pentax RS1500 comes with outside 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 A550 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check the Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A550 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the RS1500 against the A550.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RS1500 and A550 is 93 and 63 respectively.

Normally, it is hard to see the gap in sensor sizing merely by seeing specs. The photograph below should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the RS1500 and A550.

All in all, both of those cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The RS1500 contains the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF trickier. The more recent RS1500 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.