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Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
66
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD1
Photography Glossary

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Pentax XG-1 and Sigma SD1 Merrill, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is very similar but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and SD1 Merrill (APS-C) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The XG-1 was unveiled 2 years later than the SD1 Merrill and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the XG-1 matches up versus the SD1 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 XG-1 SD1 Merrill 
RevealedJuly 2014April 2012Fresher by 28 months

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Pentax XG-1

 SD1 Merrill XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 XG-1 SD1 Merrill 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax XG-1 features external measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") and a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD1 Merrill has dimensions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Compare the Pentax XG-1 and Sigma SD1 Merrill in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the XG-1 vs the SD1 Merrill.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XG-1 and SD1 Merrill is 66 and 57 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the XG-1 and SD1 Merrill.

As you can see, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The XG-1 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax XG-1 will offer you extra detail having an extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The newer XG-1 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
40
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
65
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography highlights
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than average (567 grams)
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (240 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
61
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography info
52
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery (240 per charge)
more heavy than average (567g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
45
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery (240 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
63
manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging information
25
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
more heavy than average (567 grams)
9
can't record video
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Pentax XG-1Sigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sigma SD1 Merrill
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-07-15 2012-04-10
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Dual True II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sigma SA
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 76
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs -
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 9.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567 gr (1.25 pounds) 790 gr (1.74 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
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 240 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID LB-060 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $599 $2,339