Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73


57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51
Pentax K-3 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 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
(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

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).

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.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD1 Merrill. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K-3 Gallery and Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
K-3 | SD1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2014 | ![]() | April 2012 | Newer by 25 months |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Sigma 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 |