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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
50
Features
58
Overall
53

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Key Specs

Pentax RS1500
(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
Sony A700
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony A700

 RS1500 A700 
ReleasedMarch 2011December 2007More modern by 40 months

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Pentax RS1500

 A700 RS1500 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony A700

 RS1500 A700 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 size comparison

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

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax RS1500
Portrait photography with Sony A700
35
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax RS1500 as a Street photography camera
Sony A700 as a Street photography camera
54
weather proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Sports photography factors
Sony A700 Sports photography factors
37
megapixel count good (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
56
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
no liveview
slow fps (5.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Travel photography highlights
Sony A700 Travel photography highlights
67
weather proof
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
49
weather proofing
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography details
Sony A700 Landscape photography details
40
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
weather proof
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
62
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
no liveview
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Vlogging advice
Sony A700 Vlogging advice
25
decently wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
9
no video
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RS1500 and Sony A700
 Pentax Optio RS1500Sony 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