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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 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
  • Announced March 2011
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Pentax RS1500 and Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the RS1500 (14MP) and S950 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The RS1500 was unveiled 2 years later than the S950 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the RS1500 matches up vs the S950 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony S950

 RS1500 S950 
RevealedMarch 2011February 2009More recent by 26 months

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Pentax RS1500

 S950 RS1500 

Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony S950

 RS1500 S950 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax RS1500 provides physical dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony S950 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Pentax RS1500 and Sony S950 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the RS1500 versus the S950.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the RS1500 and S950 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by reading a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the RS1500 and S950.

Clearly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax RS1500 to offer you more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer RS1500 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography information
Sony S950 Portrait photography information
35
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
25
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax RS1500
Street photography with Sony S950
54
environment sealing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
Sports photography with Sony S950
37
megapixel count decent (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RS1500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S950 as a Travel photography camera
67
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography information
Sony S950 Landscape photography information
40
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
environment sealing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
31
you can focus manually
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Vlogging details
Sony S950 Vlogging details
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
9
no video recording
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RS1500 and Sony S950
 Pentax Optio RS1500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio RS1500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-03-16 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-110mm (3.9x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157 grams (0.35 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $150 $130