Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100
93 Imaging
37 Features
30 Overall
34


92 Imaging
50 Features
44 Overall
47
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 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
- Introduced March 2011
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- " Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
- 179g - 63 x 63 x 56mm
- Released September 2013

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 Overview
In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Lens-style by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the RS1500 (14MP) and QX100 (20MP) and the RS1500 (1/2.3") and QX100 (1") come with different sensor sizes.

The RS1500 was released 3 years before the QX100 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX100 being a Lens-style camera.
Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the RS1500 grades against the QX100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio RS1500 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax RS1500 Gallery & Sony QX100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony QX100
RS1500 | QX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | " | Bigger screen (+2.7") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 0k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony QX100 over the Pentax RS1500
QX100 | RS1500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | Fresher by 30 months |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony QX100
RS1500 | QX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry your camera often, you should think about its weight and volume. The Pentax RS1500 has physical dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony QX100 has sizing of 63mm x 63mm x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") with a weight of 179 grams (0.39 lbs).
Look at the Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the RS1500 vs the QX100.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the RS1500 and QX100 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking specs. The graphic here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the RS1500 and QX100.
All in all, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The RS1500 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Sony QX100 will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older RS1500 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 Specifications
Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Lens-style |
Introduced | 2011-03-16 | 2013-09-05 |
Body design | Compact | Lens-style |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-110mm (3.9x) | 28-100mm (3.6x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/1.8-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7 inch | - |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 0k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | Depends on connected smartphone |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 4s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.90 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | None |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 157g (0.35 lbs) | 179g (0.39 lbs) |
Dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 63 x 63 x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 images | 200 images |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-BN, |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 10 secs) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $150 | $268 |