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Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Old Model is Pentax K-1
Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Replaced the Sigma SD1
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Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Pentax K-1 II versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sigma. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the K-1 II (Full frame) and SD1 Merrill (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The K-1 II was launched 5 years later than the SD1 Merrill and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the K-1 II matches up versus the SD1 Merrill with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 K-1 II SD1 Merrill 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018April 2012Fresher by 72 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Pentax K-1 II

 SD1 Merrill K-1 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 K-1 II SD1 Merrill 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-1 II has exterior measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 Merrill has sizing of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-1 II versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the K-1 II vs the SD1 Merrill.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 II and SD1 Merrill is 55 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing specifications. The photograph here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 II and SD1 Merrill.

To sum up, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-1 II due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Pentax K-1 II will render extra detail utilizing its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The younger K-1 II should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography factors
86
you can focus manually
amazing MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
65
manual focus
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Street photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography factors
70
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
good high ISO (819,200)
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-1 II
Sports photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (4.4 frames per second)
bad battery power (670 shots)
61
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 II as a Travel photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
53
weather proofing
amazing MP (36MP)
bad battery power (670 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
54
weather sealing
MP count decent (15MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography info
82
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
bad battery power (670 per charge)
63
manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-1 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 II and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Pentax K-1 Mark IISigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Company Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K-1 Mark II Sigma SD1 Merrill
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2018-02-22 2012-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME IV Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 819200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 33 -
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF4 Sigma SA
Number of lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs -
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 4.4fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010g (2.23 pounds) 790g (1.74 pounds)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
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 670 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots Two Single
Cost at release $1,737 $2,339