Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700
93 Imaging
37 Features
30 Overall
34


58 Imaging
50 Features
58 Overall
53
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced March 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
- Released December 2007
- Old Model is Konica Minolta 7D
- Successor is Sony A77

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Overview
On this page, we will be comparing the Pentax RS1500 and Sony A700, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the RS1500 (14MP) and the A700 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the RS1500 (1/2.3") and A700 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

The RS1500 was manufactured 3 years after the A700 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the RS1500 matches up versus the A700 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio RS1500 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A700. The entire galleries are available at Pentax RS1500 Gallery & Sony A700 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony A700
RS1500 | A700 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2011 | ![]() | December 2007 | More modern by 40 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Pentax RS1500
A700 | RS1500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony A700
RS1500 | A700 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax RS1500 has got physical measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony A700 has proportions of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") having a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax RS1500 and Sony A700 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the RS1500 and the A700.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the RS1500 and A700 is 93 and 58 respectively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes purely by seeing technical specs. The picture below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the RS1500 and A700.
As you have seen, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The RS1500 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax RS1500 will produce more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The younger RS1500 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Specifications
Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2011-03-16 | 2007-12-19 |
Body design | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
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 | 14MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4272 x 2848 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 28-110mm (3.9x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.6x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.90 m | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/250 seconds |
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) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | - |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 157 grams (0.35 lbs) | 768 grams (1.69 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.3 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.9 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 581 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 photographs | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | Dual |
Cost at release | $150 | $1,000 |