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Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sigma SD15 front
Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Announced February 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sigma SD14
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Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15 Overview

Below is a in depth assessment of the Pentax K-1 versus Sigma SD15, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sigma. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and SD15 (5MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and SD15 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-1 was launched 6 years later than the SD15 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the K-1 grades against the SD15 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sigma SD15

 K-1 SD15 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016February 2010More recent by 73 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Pentax K-1

 SD15 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sigma SD15

 K-1 SD15 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax K-1 offers outside dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD15 has sizing of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-1 versus Sigma SD15 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the K-1 vs the SD15.

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and SD15 is 55 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The visual here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-1 and SD15.

As you have seen, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The K-1 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Pentax K-1 will resolve more detail utilizing its extra 31MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more recent K-1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
Portrait photography with Sigma SD15
85
you can focus manually
resolution is fantastic (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
50
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (5MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography info
Sigma SD15 Street photography info
70
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD15 as a Sports photography camera
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is fantastic (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (4.4 frames/s)
bad battery pack (760 shots)
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
Sigma SD15 Travel photography advice
53
environment proof
resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
bad battery pack (760 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
42
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography highlights
Sigma SD15 Landscape photography highlights
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is fantastic (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
good high ISO (204,800)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery pack (760 per charge)
51
manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging highlights
Sigma SD15 Vlogging highlights
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
9
no video
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Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sigma SD15
 Pentax K-1Sigma SD15
General Information
Brand Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K-1 Sigma SD15
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2016-02-17 2010-02-20
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 5 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 7360 x 4912 2640 x 1760
Highest native ISO 204800 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
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
Number of focus points 33 -
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Number of lenses 151 76
Focal length multiplier 1 1.7
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.6x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.4 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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
Max flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) 750 grams (1.65 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 3280 not tested
Other
Battery life 760 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC card
Card slots Dual One
Cost at release $1,499 $1,500