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Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Announced August 2012
Sigma DP1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 64mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Renewed by Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Overview

The following is a complete analysis of the Pentax X-5 and Sigma DP1 Merrill, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sigma. The image resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the DP1 Merrill (15MP) is pretty similar but the X-5 (1/2.3") and DP1 Merrill (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.

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The X-5 was released 7 months after the DP1 Merrill so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the X-5 grades versus the DP1 Merrill for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 X-5 DP1 Merrill 
ReleasedAugust 2012February 2012Newer by 7 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3""Bigger screen (+3")

Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Pentax X-5

 DP1 Merrill X-5 
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sigma DP1 Merrill

 X-5 DP1 Merrill 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X-5 comes with exterior dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP1 Merrill has dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

See the Pentax X-5 and Sigma DP1 Merrill in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the X-5 compared to the DP1 Merrill.

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and DP1 Merrill is 65 and 82 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The picture here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and DP1 Merrill.

As you can see, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The X-5 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Pentax X-5 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger X-5 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography info
Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography info
43
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
73
manual focus
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Street photography camera
Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Street photography camera
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (595 grams)
64
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography details
Sigma DP1 Merrill Sports photography details
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
48
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X-5
Travel photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
53
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (595 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
54
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography info
Sigma DP1 Merrill Landscape photography info
47
focusing manually
relatively wide (22mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse mode
50
manual focus
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small ( inches)
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging factors
Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging factors
26
relatively wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (595 grams)
22
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic support
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Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sigma DP1 Merrill
 Pentax X-5Sigma DP1 Merrill
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax X-5 Sigma DP1 Merrill
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-08-22 2012-02-08
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4704 x 3136
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) ()
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches -
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dots -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds -
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595 gr (1.31 pounds) 330 gr (0.73 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $230 $1,250