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Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sigma DP1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
43
Features
30
Overall
37

Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1 Key Specs

Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
Sigma DP1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 800
  • No Video
  • 28mm (F) lens
  • 270g - 113 x 60 x 50mm
  • Announced May 2008
  • New Model is Sigma DP1s
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Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Pentax K-500 versus Sigma DP1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sigma. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and DP1 (5MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-500 was revealed 5 years after the DP1 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sigma DP1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the K-500 scores vs the DP1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sigma DP1

 K-500 DP1 
AnnouncedNovember 2013May 2008Newer by 68 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 over the Pentax K-500

 DP1 K-500 

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sigma DP1

 K-500 DP1 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-500 features external dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Sigma DP1 has sizing of 113mm x 60mm x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Pentax K-500 versus Sigma DP1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the K-500 compared to the DP1.

Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the K-500 and DP1 is 64 and 87 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading a spec sheet. The pic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-500 and DP1.

Clearly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Pentax K-500 to offer you more detail because of its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more modern K-500 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography highlights
Sigma DP1 Portrait photography highlights
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
55
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (5MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography details
Sigma DP1 Street photography details
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
64
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (270g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
low max ISO (800)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography info
Sigma DP1 Sports photography info
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
great battery pack (710 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
31
decent sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (5MP)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography features
Sigma DP1 Travel photography features
67
great battery pack (710 shots)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
63
lighter than competition (270g)
built-in flash
great max aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (5MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography highlights
Sigma DP1 Landscape photography highlights
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (710 per charge)
44
focusing manually
great max aperture (f)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (5MP)
low max ISO (800)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 Vlogging advice
Sigma DP1 Vlogging advice
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
9
no video
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Pentax K-500 vs Sigma DP1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sigma DP1
 Pentax K-500Sigma DP1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax K-500 Sigma DP1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-11-27 2008-05-19
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 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 51600 800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28mm (1x)
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes 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 -
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) -
Highest 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 646 gr (1.42 lbs) 270 gr (0.60 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 113 x 60 x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1087 not tested
Other
Battery life 710 photos -
Battery style AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $600 $566