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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 front
Portability
92
Imaging
50
Features
44
Overall
47

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 Key Specs

Pentax RS1500
(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
Sony QX100
(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
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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.

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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.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony QX100

 RS1500 QX100 
Screen sizing2.7""Bigger screen (+2.7")
Screen resolution230k0kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX100 over the Pentax RS1500

 QX100 RS1500 
ReleasedSeptember 2013March 2011Fresher 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 size comparison

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

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography factors
Sony QX100 Portrait photography factors
35
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
52
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
offers face detect focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Street photography factors
Sony QX100 Street photography factors
54
weather proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
71
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
offers focus via touch
screen is fixed
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Sports photography information
Sony QX100 Sports photography information
37
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Travel photography details
Sony QX100 Travel photography details
67
weather proof
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
offers focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (200 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography details
Sony QX100 Landscape photography details
40
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
weather proof
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
54
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
tiny screen ( inches)
no manual mode
lacks RAW files
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Vlogging highlights
Sony QX100 Vlogging highlights
25
rather wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone port
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony QX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RS1500 and Sony QX100
 Pentax Optio RS1500Sony 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