Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950
93 Imaging
37 Features
30 Overall
34


94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 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
- Announced March 2011
(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

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").

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.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio RS1500 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax RS1500 Gallery & Sony S950 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony S950
RS1500 | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | March 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony S950 Specifications
Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony 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 |