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Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47

Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced March 2011
Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Previous Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sigma. The resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is pretty similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-r was brought out 22 months prior to the DP3 Merrill which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the K-r grades vs the DP3 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 K-r DP3 Merrill 
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Pentax K-r

 DP3 Merrill K-r 
IntroducedJanuary 2013March 2011Newer by 22 months

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 K-r DP3 Merrill 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-r features external dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sigma DP3 Merrill has specifications of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the K-r compared to the DP3 Merrill.

Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the K-r and DP3 Merrill is 67 and 83 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over specifications. The picture here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-r and DP3 Merrill.

To sum up, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Sigma DP3 Merrill to deliver extra detail having its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged K-r is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography features
Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography features
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography factors
Sigma DP3 Merrill Street photography factors
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography info
Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography info
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery power (470 CIPA)
45
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
fixed focal length (75mm)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r Travel photography details
Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography details
47
flash built-in
terrible battery power (470 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
54
good megapixels (15MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery power (470 shots)
56
focusing manually
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (75mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging highlights
Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging highlights
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
22
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Pentax K-r vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Pentax K-rSigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Company Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax K-r Sigma DP3 Merrill
Type Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-03-11 2013-01-08
Body design Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 4704 x 3136
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 75mm (1x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s -
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s -
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) 640 x 480
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 598g (1.32 lbs) 330g (0.73 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 755 not tested
Other
Battery life 470 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC -
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $1,100 $1,353