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Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-3
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
  • Released April 2012
  • Replaced the Sigma SD1
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Pentax K-3 II versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sigma. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and SD1 Merrill (15MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was unveiled 3 years later than the SD1 Merrill and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the K-3 II scores versus the SD1 Merrill when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 K-3 II SD1 Merrill 
ReleasedApril 2015April 2012More recent by 37 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Pentax K-3 II

 SD1 Merrill K-3 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 K-3 II SD1 Merrill 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 II comes with physical measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Sigma SD1 Merrill has dimensions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-3 II versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the K-3 II versus the SD1 Merrill.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-3 II and SD1 Merrill is 59 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing specifications. The visual here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and SD1 Merrill.

To sum up, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 II to offer you greater detail having an extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern K-3 II provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
Portrait photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
79
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Street photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Street photography camera
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
bad battery power (720 CIPA)
61
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Travel photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
56
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
bad battery power (720 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
54
weather sealing
MP count good (15 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
bad battery power (720 per charge)
63
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging features
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging features
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
9
no video
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Pentax K-3 IISigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Make Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K-3 II Sigma SD1 Merrill
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2015-04-23 2012-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 6016 x 4000 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 27 -
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Available lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds -
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 8.3 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
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 (available with dedicated external flash) no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
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, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lb) 790g (1.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 1106 not tested
Other
Battery life 720 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots Two 1
Retail pricing $829 $2,339