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Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60
Pentax K-7 front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5
Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Older Model is Sigma SD1
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Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Pentax K-7 versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sigma. The resolution of the K-7 (15MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is very well matched and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-7 was revealed 3 years prior to the SD1 Merrill and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K-7 scores against the SD1 Merrill with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 K-7 SD1 Merrill 
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Pentax K-7

 SD1 Merrill K-7 
RevealedApril 2012October 2009Fresher by 30 months

Common features in the Pentax K-7 and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 K-7 SD1 Merrill 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-7 features exterior dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs) and the Sigma SD1 Merrill has measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-7 versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-7 and the SD1 Merrill.

Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the K-7 and SD1 Merrill is 60 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading through specifications. The visual below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-7 and SD1 Merrill.

To sum up, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP therefore you can expect similar quality of images although you may want to consider the age of the products into consideration. The older K-7 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-7
Portrait photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
72
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
65
manual focus
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-7 Street photography details
Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography details
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-7 Sports photography information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography information
69
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
61
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-7 as a Travel photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
64
environment proofing
decent megapixels (15MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
54
environment proof
megapixel count good (15MP)
no Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-7 Landscape photography info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography info
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
63
manual focus
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-7 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax K-7 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-7 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Pentax K-7Sigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax K-7 Sigma SD1 Merrill
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-10-02 2012-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 4672 x 3104 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 2000 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Number of lenses 151 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT color LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs -
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 750g (1.65 pounds) 790g (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 Overall rating 61 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $599 $2,339