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Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sigma SD15 front
Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Announced February 2010
  • Previous Model is Sigma SD14
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sigma. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and SD15 (5MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-30 was announced 2 years after the SD15 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the K-30 matches up vs the SD15 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sigma SD15

 K-30 SD15 
AnnouncedOctober 2012February 2010Newer by 33 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Pentax K-30

 SD15 K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sigma SD15

 K-30 SD15 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-30 has got external dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Sigma SD15 has dimensions of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the K-30 versus the SD15.

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and SD15 is 63 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The pic underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-30 and SD15.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Pentax K-30 to show greater detail with its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The fresher K-30 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography advice
Sigma SD15 Portrait photography advice
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
50
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography advice
Sigma SD15 Street photography advice
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography advice
Sigma SD15 Sports photography advice
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
low battery power (410 CIPA)
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography details
Sigma SD15 Travel photography details
60
environment sealing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery power (410 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
42
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD15 as a Landscape photography camera
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
low battery power (410 CIPA)
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging info
Sigma SD15 Vlogging info
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no microphone socket
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sigma SD15
 Pentax K-30Sigma SD15
General Information
Brand Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K-30 Sigma SD15
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-10-29 2010-02-20
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime M True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 5 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 2640 x 1760
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Total lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.6x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 gr (1.43 lb) 750 gr (1.65 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1129 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $525 $1,500