Pentax X-5 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

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.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax X-5 and Sigma DP3 Merrill. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax X-5 Gallery and Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.