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Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sigma SD9 front
Portability
54
Imaging
39
Features
27
Overall
34

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9 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
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-50
Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Revealed November 2002
  • New Model is Sigma SD10
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Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Pentax K-30 versus Sigma SD9, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sigma. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and SD9 (3MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-30 was released 10 years later than the SD9 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the K-30 scores versus the SD9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sigma SD9

 K-30 SD9 
RevealedOctober 2012November 2002More recent by 121 months
Display dimensions3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution921k130kCrisper display (+791k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Pentax K-30

 SD9 K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sigma SD9

 K-30 SD9 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-30 enjoys exterior measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD9 has specifications of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") having a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-30 versus Sigma SD9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the K-30 versus the SD9.

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and SD9 is 63 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The visual underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and SD9.

Clearly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax K-30 to offer greater detail as a result of its extra 13MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher K-30 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography features
Sigma SD9 Portrait photography features
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
47
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
low megapixels (3 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
Sigma SD9 as a Street photography camera
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
43
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average (950g)
low max ISO (400)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD9 as a Sports photography camera
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
36
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (3MP)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
Sigma SD9 Travel photography info
60
environment proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
29
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (950 grams)
low megapixels (3 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography information
Sigma SD9 Landscape photography information
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
low battery pack (410 shots)
41
has manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (1.8 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (3MP)
low max ISO (400)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD9 as a Vlogging camera
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have microphone port
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-30 vs Sigma SD9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sigma SD9
 Pentax K-30Sigma SD9
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K-30 Sigma SD9
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-10-29 2002-11-26
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime M -
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 surface area 372.1mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 3 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 2268 x 1512
Max native ISO 12800 400
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Available lenses 151 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 1.8 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 130 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.77x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 grams (1.43 lbs) 950 grams (2.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash Type I or II
Card slots One One
Price at launch $525 $3,001