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Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
61
Imaging
68
Features
76
Overall
71
Pentax KP front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Revealed January 2017
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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD1
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Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax KP versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sigma. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the KP (24MP) and SD1 Merrill (15MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The KP was manufactured 4 years after the SD1 Merrill which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the KP matches up vs the SD1 Merrill when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 KP SD1 Merrill 
IntroducedJanuary 2017April 2012More modern by 59 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Pentax KP

 SD1 Merrill KP 

Common features in the Pentax KP and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 KP SD1 Merrill 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax KP provides physical measurements of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") and a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD1 Merrill has proportions 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 KP versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the KP compared to the SD1 Merrill.

Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the KP and SD1 Merrill is 61 and 57 respectively.

Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by researching technical specs. The picture here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the KP and SD1 Merrill.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Pentax KP to result in extra detail due to its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The younger KP will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax KP Portrait photography info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography info
80
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
65
manual focus
megapixel count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax KP
Street photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
76
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
great high ISO (819,200)
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax KP as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
silent mode (1/24,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
terrible battery pack (390 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
61
megapixel count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax KP Travel photography info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography info
62
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery pack (390 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
54
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (15MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax KP Landscape photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (819,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
terrible battery pack (390 CIPA)
63
manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax KP Vlogging factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging factors
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
9
no video
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Pentax KP vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KP and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Pentax KPSigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Brand Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax KP Sigma SD1 Merrill
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2017-01-26 2012-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip PRIME IV Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 4800 x 3200
Max native ISO 819200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 27 -
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Total lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s -
Max shutter speed 1/6000s -
Max silent shutter speed 1/24000s -
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703g (1.55 lb) 790g (1.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 390 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $747 $2,339