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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sigma SD1 front
Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Released September 2010
  • Newer Model is Sigma SD1 Merrill
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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sigma. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and SD1 (15MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 was introduced 3 years after the SD1 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the K-3 scores vs the SD1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sigma SD1

 K-3 SD1 
ReleasedApril 2014September 2010More modern by 44 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Pentax K-3

 SD1 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD1

 K-3 SD1 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 provides outer measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Sigma SD1 has sizing of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

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

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the K-3 versus the SD1.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and SD1 is 59 and 77 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through specs. The picture underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 and SD1.

All in all, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax K-3 to produce extra detail using its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more modern K-3 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Portrait photography camera
79
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
65
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography info
Sigma SD1 Street photography info
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
62
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
low maximum ISO (0)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Sports photography camera
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery power (560 shots)
56
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography information
Sigma SD1 Travel photography information
60
weather proof
good resolution (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery power (560 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
65
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
Landscape photography with Sigma SD1
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
low battery power (560 per charge)
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low maximum ISO (0)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD1 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
9
no video recording
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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD1
 Pentax K-3Sigma SD1
General Information
Make Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K-3 Sigma SD1
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2014-04-10 2010-09-21
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime III Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 4800 x 3200
Max native ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 -
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 27 11
Cross focus points 25 2
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Number of lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lbs) -
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 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots 2 Single
Pricing at release $639 $2,339