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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sigma SD9 front
Portability
54
Imaging
38
Features
27
Overall
33

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 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
  • Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Announced November 2002
  • Replacement is Sigma SD10
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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sigma. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and SD9 (3MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-3 was introduced 11 years after the SD9 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the K-3 scores versus the SD9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sigma SD9

 K-3 SD9 
AnnouncedApril 2014November 2002More modern by 139 months
Display size3.2"1.8"Larger display (+1.4")
Display resolution1037k130kSharper display (+907k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Pentax K-3

 SD9 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD9

 K-3 SD9 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 features outer dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD9 has dimensions of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the K-3 vs the SD9.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and SD9 is 59 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to see the gap between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The image underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and SD9.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 to offer you extra detail using its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more recent K-3 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
Portrait photography with Sigma SD9
79
focusing manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
46
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
low megapixels (3 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography information
Sigma SD9 Street photography information
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
43
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than others (950 grams)
maximum ISO low (400)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography information
Sigma SD9 Sports photography information
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery life (560 shots)
35
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (3 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography info
Sigma SD9 Travel photography info
60
weather sealing
decent MP (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery life (560 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
29
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than others (950g)
low megapixels (3MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
Landscape photography with Sigma SD9
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
terrible battery life (560 per charge)
40
has manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inch)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (3 megapixels)
maximum ISO low (400)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD9 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
does not posses selfie friendly screen
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma SD9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sigma SD9
 Pentax K-3Sigma SD9
General Information
Brand Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax K-3 Sigma SD9
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-04-10 2002-11-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 3 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 2268 x 1512
Highest native ISO 51200 400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 27 -
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type 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 diagonal 3.2 inches 1.8 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 130k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.77x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs 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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lb) 950 grams (2.09 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" 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 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash Type I or II
Storage slots Two Single
Launch pricing $639 $3,001