Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill
59 Imaging
65 Features
84 Overall
72
57 Imaging
55 Features
45 Overall
51
Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs
(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
(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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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).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 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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Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-3 II & Sigma SD1 Merrill. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-3 II Gallery & Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
| K-3 II | SD1 Merrill | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | April 2015 | April 2012 | More recent by 37 months | |
| Display dimensions | 3.2" | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") | |
| Display resolution | 1037k | 460k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | 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.
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.

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