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Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
59
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Pentax K10D front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax K10D
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 793g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released December 2006
  • Renewed by Pentax K20D
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
  • Launched April 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sigma SD1
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Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Pentax K10D versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sigma. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the K10D (10MP) and SD1 Merrill (15MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K10D was introduced 6 years prior to the SD1 Merrill and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the K10D scores against the SD1 Merrill for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K10D over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 K10D SD1 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Pentax K10D

 SD1 Merrill K10D 
LaunchedApril 2012December 2006More recent by 64 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k210kSharper screen (+250k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K10D and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 K10D SD1 Merrill 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K10D offers outside dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 793 grams (1.75 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 Merrill has sizing of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

See the Pentax K10D versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the K10D and the SD1 Merrill.

Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K10D and SD1 Merrill is 59 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specifications. The visual here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K10D and SD1 Merrill.

To sum up, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sigma SD1 Merrill to offer you extra detail using its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older K10D is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K10D Portrait photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography factors
52
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
65
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K10D
Street photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
57
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K10D as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
61
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K10D Travel photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography highlights
49
environment sealing
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
54
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (15MP)
missing Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K10D Landscape photography information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography information
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
63
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sized screen (3")
megapixel count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K10D as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K10D vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K10D and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Pentax K10DSigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K10D Sigma SD1 Merrill
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2006-12-15 2012-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Dual True II
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4800 x 3200
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Total lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 210k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds -
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Auto Red Eye no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 793 gr (1.75 lbs) 790 gr (1.74 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 522 not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $700 $2,339