• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax H90 advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $799 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 210 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    25 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    131g vs 391g
    Lighter weight

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Pentax H90

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.8 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.8 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax H90

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sigma DP1 Merrill

Review Excerpt

  • Exceptionally detailed and uniquely beautiful image quality at low ISOs; Fast, sharp 28mm-equivalent lens; Simple, straightforward controls match camera's simple, straightforward (street photography) goals.

  • Fixed-focal-length lens; Image quality deteriorates significantly at ISO 800 and above; Overall sluggish performer; Falls short when capturing JPEGs; Terrible VGA-only video quality; Very poor battery life; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Sigma DP1 Merrill Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus FE-5010

Pentax H90
Olympus FE-5010
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Wider angle lens
  • $190
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax H90 vs Olympus FE-5010

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Olympus FE-5010
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $190
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Olympus FE-5010

Compared to Fujifilm JX250

Pentax H90
Fujifilm JX250
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Manual focus
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Longer exposure

Compare Pentax H90 vs Fujifilm JX250

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Fujifilm JX250
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Fujifilm JX250

Compared to Fujifilm JX280

Pentax H90
Fujifilm JX280
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Manual focus
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Pentax H90 vs Fujifilm JX280

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Fujifilm JX280
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Fujifilm JX280

Compared to Leica X2

Pentax H90
Leica X2
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax H90 vs Leica X2

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X2
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Leica X2

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Pentax H90
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax H90 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Compare Other Cameras?