Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill
69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
83 Imaging
56 Features
33 Overall
46
Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs
(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
(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
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.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe 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.
Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax X90 and Sigma DP3 Merrill. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax X90 Gallery and Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | July 2010 | More recent by 30 months | |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
Screen resolution | 920k | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sigma DP3 Merrill
X90 | DP3 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | More precise focus | |||
Screen type | Fixed | 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).
See the Pentax X90 and Sigma DP3 Merrill in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications
Pentax X90 | Sigma 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 |