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Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Sigma SD15 front
Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-7
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5 IIs
Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Replaced the Sigma SD14
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Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Pentax K-5 versus Sigma SD15, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sigma. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-5 (16MP) and SD15 (5MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-5 was introduced 11 months after the SD15 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K-5 grades versus the SD15 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sigma SD15

 K-5 SD15 
IntroducedDecember 2010February 2010More modern by 11 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Pentax K-5

 SD15 K-5 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sigma SD15

 K-5 SD15 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-5 has physical measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) and the Sigma SD15 has sizing of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") along with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-5 versus Sigma SD15 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the K-5 vs the SD15.

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 and SD15 is 60 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through specifications. The pic below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 and SD15.

To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax K-5 to resolve greater detail using its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern K-5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
Portrait photography with Sigma SD15
73
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
50
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography highlights
Sigma SD15 Street photography highlights
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
no moving screen
52
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography factors
Sigma SD15 Sports photography factors
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 Travel photography features
Sigma SD15 Travel photography features
65
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
42
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD15 as a Landscape photography camera
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
51
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3")
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD15 as a Vlogging camera
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-5 vs Sigma SD15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Sigma SD15
 Pentax K-5Sigma SD15
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax K-5 Sigma SD15
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-12-18 2010-02-20
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 5MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 2640 x 1760
Highest native ISO 12800 1600
Highest boosted ISO 51200 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Number of lenses 151 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.6x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum 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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740g (1.63 lbs) 750g (1.65 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2")
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 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $800 $1,500