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Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 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
  • Introduced August 2012
Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Older Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Pentax X-5 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sigma. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is very comparable but the X-5 (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The X-5 was manufactured 4 months before the DP3 Merrill which means that they are both 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 DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the X-5 grades vs the DP3 Merrill with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 X-5 DP3 Merrill 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Pentax X-5

 DP3 Merrill X-5 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 X-5 DP3 Merrill 
LaunchedAugust 2012January 2013Same generation
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X-5 provides physical dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Sigma DP3 Merrill has dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Check out the Pentax X-5 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill in the latest Camera and 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 that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the X-5 versus the DP3 Merrill.

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and DP3 Merrill is 65 and 83 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The visual here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the X-5 and DP3 Merrill.

As you can tell, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The X-5 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax X-5 will show more detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a bit more aggressively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
43
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
73
focusing manually
decent MP (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography information
Sigma DP3 Merrill Street photography information
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than others in class (595 grams)
65
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
52
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
44
decent MP (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (75mm)
slow fps (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography info
Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography info
53
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (22mm)
great zoom (580mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (595 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
54
decent MP (15 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography highlights
Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
47
manual focus
really wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
55
focusing manually
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent MP (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (75mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X-5
Vlogging with Sigma DP3 Merrill
26
really wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
heavier than others in class (595g)
22
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Pentax X-5Sigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Brand Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax X-5 Sigma DP3 Merrill
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-08-22 2013-01-08
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 15MP
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
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) 75mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s -
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
External flash
AE 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
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 gr (1.31 lb) 330 gr (0.73 lb)
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 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID 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 $1,353