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Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67
Pentax K-5 II front
 
Sigma SD1 front
Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Introduced September 2010
  • Replacement is Sigma SD1 Merrill
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Pentax K-5 II versus Sigma SD1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sigma. The image resolution of the K-5 II (16MP) and the SD1 (15MP) is fairly similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-5 II was launched 2 years later than the SD1 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the K-5 II grades versus the SD1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Sigma SD1

 K-5 II SD1 
IntroducedJune 2013September 2010More recent by 33 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Pentax K-5 II

 SD1 K-5 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Sigma SD1

 K-5 II SD1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 II offers outer measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) and the Sigma SD1 has proportions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-5 II versus Sigma SD1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the K-5 II vs the SD1.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-5 II and SD1 is 60 and 77 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to envision the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 II and SD1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Pentax K-5 II to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent K-5 II will have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography features
Sigma SD1 Portrait photography features
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
65
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Street photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Street photography highlights
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
62
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (0)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-5 II
Sports photography with Sigma SD1
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
56
megapixel count decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Travel photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Travel photography camera
65
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
65
weather proof
megapixel count decent (15MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Landscape photography camera
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (0)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Vlogging information
Sigma SD1 Vlogging information
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
9
no video
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 II and Sigma SD1
 Pentax K-5 IISigma SD1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax K-5 II Sigma SD1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2013-06-04 2010-09-21
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime II Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 12800 -
Maximum enhanced ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 -
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 2
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Total lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760 gr (1.68 lbs) -
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1235 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $830 $2,339