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Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Launched July 2010
Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Pentax X90 and Sigma DP3 Merrill, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is pretty similar but the X90 (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.

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The X90 was announced 3 years prior to the DP3 Merrill and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the X90 scores against the DP3 Merrill in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 X90 DP3 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Pentax X90

 DP3 Merrill X90 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013July 2010More recent by 30 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 X90 DP3 Merrill 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax X90 provides physical dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sigma DP3 Merrill has specifications of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

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Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the X90 vs the DP3 Merrill.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X90 and DP3 Merrill is 69 and 83 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements simply by going over specifications. The graphic here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the X90 and DP3 Merrill.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The X90 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will offer you extra detail with its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The older X90 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography information
Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography information
29
has manual focus
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography details
Sigma DP3 Merrill Street photography details
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography highlights
Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography highlights
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
44
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (75mm)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography information
Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
no Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
good megapixels (15MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography factors
Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography factors
35
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
good sized screen (3")
good megapixels (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (75mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging features
Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging features
23
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
22
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Pentax X90Sigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax X90 Sigma DP3 Merrill
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-07-06 2013-01-08
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CCD 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 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4704 x 3136
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 75mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds -
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480
Highest video resolution 1280x720 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 428 grams (0.94 lbs) 330 grams (0.73 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model D-L106 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal -
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $350 $1,353