Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230
93 Imaging
36 Features
30 Overall
33
95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 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
- Released March 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Revealed February 2009
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In this article, we are contrasting the Pentax RS1500 versus Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the RS1500 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is very comparable and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe RS1500 was manufactured 2 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the RS1500 grades against the W230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Optio RS1500 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax RS1500 Gallery and Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony W230
| RS1500 | W230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | March 2011 | February 2009 | More recent by 26 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax RS1500
| W230 | RS1500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony W230
| RS1500 | W230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Dial accurate focusing | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Same display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Lacking Touch display |
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax RS1500 comes with outside measurements 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 W230 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Examine the Pentax RS1500 versus Sony W230 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the RS1500 vs the W230.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the RS1500 and W230 is 93 and 95 respectively.
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing technical specs. The visual below might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the RS1500 and W230.
As you have seen, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax RS1500 to produce greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher RS1500 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 Specifications
| Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
| Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2011-03-16 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 28-110mm (3.9x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/2.8-5.8 |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | 4cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Screen technology | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 1 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.90 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 157 gr (0.35 lbs) | 156 gr (0.34 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 260 pictures | - |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | D-LI92 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Pricing at release | $150 | $180 |