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Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Announced July 2010
Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Launched April 2012
  • Superseded the Sigma SD1
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Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Below is a extensive analysis of the Pentax X90 versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sigma. The image resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is fairly close but the X90 (1/2.3") and SD1 Merrill (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The X90 was launched 21 months earlier than the SD1 Merrill making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a short summation of how the X90 matches up versus the SD1 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 X90 SD1 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Pentax X90

 SD1 Merrill X90 
LaunchedApril 2012July 2010More recent by 21 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 X90 SD1 Merrill 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax X90 provides exterior measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 Merrill has proportions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

See the Pentax X90 versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the X90 against the SD1 Merrill.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X90 and SD1 Merrill is 69 and 57 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements just by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and SD1 Merrill.

As you can see, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The X90 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sigma SD1 Merrill will render more detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics way more aggressively. The older X90 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
29
has manual focus
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
focusing manually
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Street photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X90
Sports photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
42
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
61
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography advice
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
54
environment proof
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography information
35
has manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
63
focusing manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
23
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Pentax X90Sigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Brand Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax X90 Sigma SD1 Merrill
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2010-07-06 2012-04-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime Dual True II
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 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sigma SA
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 76
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s -
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 grams (0.94 lb) 790 grams (1.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $350 $2,339