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Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD1

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sigma SD1 front
Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD1 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Announced September 2010
  • Successor is Sigma SD1 Merrill
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Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD1 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Pentax K-1 and Sigma SD1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sigma. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and SD1 (15MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and SD1 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The K-1 was announced 5 years later than the SD1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K-1 scores against the SD1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sigma SD1

 K-1 SD1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016September 2010More recent by 66 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Pentax K-1

 SD1 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sigma SD1

 K-1 SD1 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 has outside measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD1 has proportions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-1 and Sigma SD1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the K-1 against the SD1.

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the K-1 and SD1 is 55 and 77 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements purely by researching technical specs. The visual below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 and SD1.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-1 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Pentax K-1 will render extra detail with its extra 21 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent K-1 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography info
Sigma SD1 Portrait photography info
85
you can focus manually
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
65
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Street photography camera
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great high ISO (204,800)
heavier than others (1,010 grams)
62
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
max ISO too low (0)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Sports photography camera
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames/s)
not so great battery life (760 CIPA)
56
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Travel photography camera
53
environment sealing
great megapixels (36MP)
not so great battery life (760 per charge)
heavier than others (1,010g)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
environment proofing
decent megapixels (15MP)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography info
Sigma SD1 Landscape photography info
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
not so great battery life (760 CIPA)
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent megapixels (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
max ISO too low (0)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD1 as a Vlogging camera
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than others (1,010 grams)
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sigma SD1
 Pentax K-1Sigma SD1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax K-1 Sigma SD1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-02-17 2010-09-21
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 -
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 33 11
Cross type focus points 25 2
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Number of lenses 151 76
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.4 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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 -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010g (2.23 pounds) -
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 rating 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3280 not tested
Other
Battery life 760 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots Dual One
Price at release $1,499 $2,339