Clicky

Pentax K-3 III vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Pentax K-3 III vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Launched March 2021
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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Replaced the Sigma SD1
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Pentax K-3 III vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Pentax K-3 III and Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sigma. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the K-3 III (26MP) and SD1 Merrill (15MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The K-3 III was released 9 years after the SD1 Merrill which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a quick summary of how the K-3 III scores versus the SD1 Merrill in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

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

 K-3 III SD1 Merrill 
RevealedMarch 2021April 2012Newer by 110 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k460kCrisper display (+1160k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

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

 SD1 Merrill K-3 III 

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

 K-3 III SD1 Merrill 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax K-3 III vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 III enjoys outside measurements of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") along with a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD1 Merrill has specifications of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 III and Sigma SD1 Merrill in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the K-3 III and the SD1 Merrill.

Pentax K-3 III vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 III and SD1 Merrill is 58 and 57 respectively.

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

Pentax K-3 III vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing technical specs. The image here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 III and SD1 Merrill.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 III to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer K-3 III provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

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

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

Pentax K-3 III vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
83
has manual focus
amazing MP (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
65
has manual focus
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Street photography info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography info
71
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
environment proof
great ISO range (1,600,000)
no articulating screen
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Sports photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography factors
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing MP (26 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery pack (800 CIPA)
61
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
no image stabilization
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Travel photography advice
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography advice
64
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
offers focus by touch
amazing MP (26MP)
bad battery pack (800 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
54
weather proofing
decent megapixels (15MP)
no Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing MP (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (1,600,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
bad battery pack (800 per charge)
63
has manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
no liveview
no image stabilization
no Timelapse function
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3 III
Vlogging with Sigma SD1 Merrill
35
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
9
lack of video recording
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Pentax K-3 III vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIISigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K-3 Mark III Sigma SD1 Merrill
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2021-03-31 2012-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23 x 15.5mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 356.5mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 26 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest resolution 6192 x 4128 4800 x 3200
Highest native ISO 1600000 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 101 -
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Total lenses 156 76
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,620k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds -
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 820 gr (1.81 lb) 790 gr (1.74 lb)
Dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 800 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots Two 1
Cost at launch $1,999 $2,339