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Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 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
  • Launched August 2012
Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 50mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Replaced the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Successor is Sigma DP3 Merrill
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Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Overview

Lets look closer at the Pentax X-5 versus Sigma DP2 Merrill, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sigma. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the DP2 Merrill (15MP) is pretty close but the X-5 (1/2.3") and DP2 Merrill (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The X-5 was announced 7 months after the DP2 Merrill and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the X-5 scores versus the DP2 Merrill in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 X-5 DP2 Merrill 
RevealedAugust 2012February 2012More modern by 7 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Pentax X-5

 DP2 Merrill X-5 
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sigma DP2 Merrill

 X-5 DP2 Merrill 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax X-5 provides physical measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sigma DP2 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).

Check the Pentax X-5 versus Sigma DP2 Merrill in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the X-5 compared to the DP2 Merrill.

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and DP2 Merrill is 65 and 83 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through technical specs. The image underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the X-5 and DP2 Merrill.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X-5 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax X-5 will render more detail with its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The younger X-5 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
Portrait photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
43
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
73
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X-5
Street photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competition (595g)
65
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X-5
Sports photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
44
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (50mm)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X-5
Travel photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
53
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (22mm)
great zoom (580mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (595g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
54
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography details
Sigma DP2 Merrill Landscape photography details
47
has manual focus
really wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (50mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X-5
Vlogging with Sigma DP2 Merrill
26
really wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
heavier than competition (595g)
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic socket
Photography Glossary

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sigma DP2 Merrill
 Pentax X-5Sigma DP2 Merrill
General Information
Company Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax X-5 Sigma DP2 Merrill
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-08-22 2012-02-08
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 27.7mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4704 x 3136
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) 50mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dots -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s -
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash modes - no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640x480
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595g (1.31 lbs) 330g (0.73 lbs)
Physical dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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 330 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $230 $931