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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
58
Overall
65

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R 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 RX1R
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Refreshed by Sony RX1R II
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R Overview

Following is a thorough assessment of the Pentax RS1500 versus Sony RX1R, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the RS1500 (14MP) and RX1R (24MP) and the RS1500 (1/2.3") and RX1R (Full frame) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The RS1500 was released 3 years before the RX1R which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1R being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the RS1500 matches up vs the RX1R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony RX1R

 RS1500 RX1R 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R over the Pentax RS1500

 RX1R RS1500 
RevealedJune 2013March 2011More modern by 27 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony RX1R

 RS1500 RX1R 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax RS1500 enjoys outer measurements 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 RX1R has specifications of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Look at the Pentax RS1500 versus Sony RX1R in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the RS1500 vs the RX1R.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the RS1500 and RX1R is 93 and 79 respectively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R top view buttons comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the RS1500 and RX1R.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The RS1500 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony RX1R will give you extra detail as a result of its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged RS1500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R sensor size comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax RS1500
Portrait photography with Sony RX1R
35
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
82
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/4,000s)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Street photography details
Sony RX1R Street photography details
54
environment proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
66
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
great ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (482 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RS1500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX1R as a Sports photography camera
37
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
53
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
fixed focal length (35mm)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery (270 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RS1500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX1R as a Travel photography camera
67
environment proofing
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
62
decent MP (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse function
low battery (270 per charge)
heavier than average in class (482g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography details
Sony RX1R Landscape photography details
40
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
66
manual focus
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
low battery (270 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Vlogging features
Sony RX1R Vlogging features
25
decently wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
34
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (482 grams)
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony RX1R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RS1500 and Sony RX1R
 Pentax Optio RS1500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio RS1500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
Class Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-03-16 2013-06-26
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-110mm (3.9x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.0
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic and Optical (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/4000 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157g (0.35 pounds) 482g (1.06 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 91
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 2537
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 270 photographs
Form 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $150 $2,798