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Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-7
  • Successor is Pentax K-5 IIs
Sigma SD1 Merrill
(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
  • Previous Model is Sigma SD1
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Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-5 was introduced 15 months earlier than the SD1 Merrill which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the K-5 matches up vs the SD1 Merrill in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-5 SD1 Merrill 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

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

 SD1 Merrill K-5 
IntroducedApril 2012December 2010Newer by 15 months

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

 K-5 SD1 Merrill 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 comes with outside dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD1 Merrill has specifications of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the K-5 against the SD1 Merrill.

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 and SD1 Merrill is 60 and 57 respectively.

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

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The image here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 and SD1 Merrill.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax K-5 to provide extra detail using its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged K-5 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 Portrait photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography highlights
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
65
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-5
Street photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
no articulating screen
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography advice
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography advice
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
61
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 Travel photography info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography info
65
environment sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
does not posses selfie friendly screen
54
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
Landscape photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
63
focusing manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count decent (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging information
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Pentax K-5Sigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax K-5 Sigma SD1 Merrill
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2010-12-18 2012-04-10
Physical type 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 measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 15MP
Anti alias 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 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Total lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds -
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740g (1.63 lbs) 790g (1.74 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 All around rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1162 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $800 $2,339