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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • New Model is Pentax K-3 II
Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Previous Model is Sigma SD1
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

The following is a extensive overview of the Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sigma. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and SD1 Merrill (15MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 was released 2 years after the SD1 Merrill which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the K-3 matches up versus the SD1 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-3 SD1 Merrill 
RevealedApril 2014April 2012Newer by 25 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)

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

 SD1 Merrill K-3 

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

 K-3 SD1 Merrill 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 has got physical dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 Merrill has sizing 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 and Sigma SD1 Merrill in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the K-3 versus the SD1 Merrill.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and SD1 Merrill is 59 and 57 respectively.

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

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading specs. The image here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and SD1 Merrill.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Pentax K-3 to offer greater detail as a result of its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent K-3 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
Portrait photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
79
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW files
65
you can focus manually
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography factors
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography factors
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
terrible battery (560 CIPA)
61
good megapixels (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3
Travel photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
60
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (24MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery (560 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
54
weather proofing
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (560 per charge)
63
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good megapixels (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging advice
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging advice
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Pentax K-3Sigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Make Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax K-3 Sigma SD1 Merrill
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2014-04-10 2012-04-10
Physical type 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 area 366.6mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Full resolution 6016 x 4000 4800 x 3200
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 27 -
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Available lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s -
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s -
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lb) 790 grams (1.74 lb)
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 All around rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID 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)
Card slots 2 Single
Retail price $639 $2,339