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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 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 W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Pentax RS1500 and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the RS1500 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The RS1500 was announced 2 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the RS1500 matches up vs the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony W290

 RS1500 W290 
IntroducedMarch 2011February 2009Fresher by 26 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax RS1500

 W290 RS1500 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony W290

 RS1500 W290 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax RS1500 enjoys physical dimensions 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 W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Pentax RS1500 and Sony W290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the RS1500 versus the W290.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RS1500 and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing specs. The graphic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the RS1500 and W290.

All in all, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Pentax RS1500 to result in extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more recent RS1500 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
35
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax RS1500 as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
54
weather sealing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Sports photography highlights
Sony W290 Sports photography highlights
37
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax RS1500
Travel photography with Sony W290
67
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
57
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W290 Landscape photography highlights
40
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
41
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RS1500 Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
28
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RS1500 and Sony W290
 Pentax Optio RS1500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio RS1500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
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
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-110mm (3.9x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157 gr (0.35 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" 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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $150 $230