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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
45
Features
57
Overall
49

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V 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
  • Revealed March 2011
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Released April 2013
  • Replaced the Sony HX30V
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Pentax RS1500 and Sony HX50V, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the RS1500 (14MP) and HX50V (20MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The RS1500 was introduced 3 years earlier than the HX50V which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the RS1500 grades against the HX50V in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony HX50V

 RS1500 HX50V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Pentax RS1500

 HX50V RS1500 
ReleasedApril 2013March 2011More modern by 25 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony HX50V

 RS1500 HX50V 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax RS1500 offers external measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony HX50V has specifications of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Pentax RS1500 and Sony HX50V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the RS1500 compared to the HX50V.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the RS1500 and HX50V is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the RS1500 and HX50V.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Sony HX50V to provide more detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged RS1500 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography information
Sony HX50V Portrait photography information
35
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
51
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Street photography advice
Sony HX50V Street photography advice
54
environment proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (272g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Sports photography information
Sony HX50V Sports photography information
37
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
58
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery power (400 shots)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax RS1500
Travel photography with Sony HX50V
67
environment proofing
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
lighter than others (272g)
good MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX50V Landscape photography advice
40
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14MP)
environment proofing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
54
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Vlogging highlights
Sony HX50V Vlogging highlights
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
34
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (272g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RS1500 and Sony HX50V
 Pentax Optio RS1500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio RS1500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-03-16 2013-04-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 5184 x 2920
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-110mm (3.9x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157 gr (0.35 pounds) 272 gr (0.60 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 shots 400 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $150 $439