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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sigma SD15 front
Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-3 II
Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD14
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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15 Overview

The following is a thorough overview of the Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD15, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sigma. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and SD15 (5MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 was revealed 4 years after the SD15 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the K-3 matches up versus the SD15 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sigma SD15

 K-3 SD15 
IntroducedApril 2014February 2010Newer by 51 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Pentax K-3

 SD15 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD15

 K-3 SD15 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 has outside measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD15 has measurements of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

See the Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD15 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the K-3 and the SD15.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and SD15 is 59 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading through specs. The pic underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and SD15.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax K-3 to give you extra detail because of its extra 19MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger K-3 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography highlights
Sigma SD15 Portrait photography highlights
79
focusing manually
MP count decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
50
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
Sigma SD15 as a Street photography camera
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
52
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD15 as a Sports photography camera
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (560 CIPA)
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3
Travel photography with Sigma SD15
60
weather sealing
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery pack (560 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
42
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD15 as a Landscape photography camera
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
2 card slots
low battery pack (560 CIPA)
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3
Vlogging with Sigma SD15
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD15
 Pentax K-3Sigma SD15
General Information
Brand Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K-3 Sigma SD15
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-04-10 2010-02-20
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 5MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6016 x 4000 2640 x 1760
Maximum native ISO 51200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 27 -
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Amount of lenses 151 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.6x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 pounds) 750 gr (1.65 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2")
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 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Dual 1
Launch price $639 $1,500