Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290
93 Imaging
37 Features
30 Overall
34
94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 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
- Introduced March 2011
(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
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video 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").
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe 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 Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio RS1500 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax RS1500 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Sony W290
| RS1500 | W290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | March 2011 | February 2009 | Fresher by 26 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax RS1500
| W290 | RS1500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen dimension | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Pentax RS1500 and Sony W290
| RS1500 | W290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very accurate focus | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Equal 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.
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.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RS1500 and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax RS1500 vs Sony W290 Specifications
| Pentax Optio RS1500 | Sony 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 |