Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill
60 Imaging
57 Features
82 Overall
67


57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51
Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push 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
- Succeeded the Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
- Introduced April 2012
- Old Model is Sigma SD1

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview
Lets look closer at the Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Sigma. The resolution of the K-5 II (16MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is relatively similar and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

The K-5 II was unveiled 14 months after the SD1 Merrill which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the K-5 II matches up vs the SD1 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-5 II & Sigma SD1 Merrill. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-5 II Gallery & Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
K-5 II | SD1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2013 | ![]() | April 2012 | More modern by 14 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Pentax K-5 II
SD1 Merrill | K-5 II |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Sigma SD1 Merrill
K-5 II | SD1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 II offers exterior dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 Merrill has specifications of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the K-5 II vs the SD1 Merrill.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 II and SD1 Merrill is 60 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-5 II and SD1 Merrill.
As you can see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax K-5 II to offer greater detail having an extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern K-5 II should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications
Pentax K-5 II | Sigma SD1 Merrill | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sigma |
Model | Pentax K-5 II | Sigma SD1 Merrill |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2013-06-04 | 2012-04-10 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
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 megapixels | 15 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
Full resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4800 x 3200 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Max boosted ISO | 51200 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 80 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | - |
Cross focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sigma SA |
Amount of lenses | 151 | 76 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 96% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | - |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 760 grams (1.68 pounds) | 790 grams (1.74 pounds) |
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 All around score | 82 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.8 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.1 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 1235 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 980 images | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | 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 | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $830 | $2,339 |