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Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sigma SD9 front
Portability
54
Imaging
39
Features
27
Overall
34

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 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
  • Released February 2016
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-1 II
Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Announced November 2002
  • Successor is Sigma SD10
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Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sigma. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and SD9 (3MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and SD9 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The K-1 was announced 13 years later than the SD9 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise view of how the K-1 matches up against the SD9 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sigma SD9

 K-1 SD9 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016November 2002More recent by 162 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.4")
Screen resolution1037k130kCrisper screen (+907k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Pentax K-1

 SD9 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sigma SD9

 K-1 SD9 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-1 comes with physical dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Sigma SD9 has measurements of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") and a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the K-1 and the SD9.

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and SD9 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements merely by checking specifications. The visual underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-1 and SD9.

To sum up, both the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-1 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-1 will resolve greater detail with its extra 33MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern K-1 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography highlights
Sigma SD9 Portrait photography highlights
85
focusing manually
fantastic MP (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
47
focusing manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (3 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography features
Sigma SD9 Street photography features
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than average (1,010g)
43
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (950g)
low max ISO (400)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-1
Sports photography with Sigma SD9
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (4.4 frames/s)
bad battery power (760 per charge)
36
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (3 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography info
Sigma SD9 Travel photography info
53
environment proofing
fantastic MP (36MP)
bad battery power (760 per charge)
more heavy than average (1,010g)
screen is not selfie friendly
29
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (950g)
sensor resolution not great (3MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography details
Sigma SD9 Landscape photography details
81
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
bad battery power (760 per charge)
41
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (3MP)
low max ISO (400)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging advice
Sigma SD9 Vlogging advice
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-1 vs Sigma SD9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sigma SD9
 Pentax K-1Sigma SD9
General Information
Make Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K-1 Sigma SD9
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2016-02-17 2002-11-26
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
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 megapixels 3 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 7360 x 4912 2268 x 1512
Max native ISO 204800 400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
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 KAF2 Sigma SA
Amount of lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1 1.7
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 1.8"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 130k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.77x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.4 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file 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 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010 gr (2.23 lbs) 950 gr (2.09 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Compact Flash Type I or II
Card slots Dual One
Launch price $1,499 $3,001