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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
30
Overall
33
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 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
  • Released March 2011
Sony W230
(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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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 Overview

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").

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The 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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Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony W230

 RS1500 W230 
RevealedMarch 2011February 2009More recent by 26 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax RS1500

 W230 RS1500 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony W230

 RS1500 W230 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the RS1500 and W230 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
34
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax RS1500 as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
Sports photography with Sony W230
36
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Travel photography highlights
Sony W230 Travel photography highlights
67
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography info
Sony W230 Landscape photography info
40
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
36
manual focus
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Vlogging advice
Sony W230 Vlogging advice
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RS1500 and Sony W230
 Pentax Optio RS1500Sony 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