Pentax K-3 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

APS-C 369.0mm²
19.6 megapixels
45.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sigma dp2 Quattro Review.
How does it shoot? Sigma dp2 Quattro in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the dp2 Quattro.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sigma dp2 Quattro conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sigma dp2 Quattro

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 3.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

560 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.39 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 19.6 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 3.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 3.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma dp2 Quattro advantages over Pentax K-3

Higher max flash sync
1/1250 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

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Buy the Sigma dp2 Quattro

Sigma DP2 Quattro

All dp2 Quattro Deals

Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

Phenomenal detail and "depth" at low ISOs; Extremely high resolution; Incredible image quality for the price and size (at low ISOs); Fast x-sync speeds; Unique design is unconventional but comfortable and balanced.
Poor high ISO performance; Very sluggish buffer clearing; Poor low-light AF; No built-in flash; Very limited third-party RAW file support; Bundled Sigma Photo Pro RAW software is slow and buggy.
Read our Sigma dp2 Quattro Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Sigma dp2 Quattro

Nikon D7100

$899
APS-C

Higher max flash sync
Doesn't require an AA filter

$750
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sigma dp2 Quattro vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Sigma dp2 Quattro

Nikon D5300

$899
APS-C

Higher max flash sync
Doesn't require an AA filter

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sigma dp2 Quattro vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Sigma dp1 Quattro

Pentax K-3

Sigma dp1 Quattro

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher max flash sync

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sigma dp1 Quattro

Sigma dp2 Quattro

Sigma dp1 Quattro

$899
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach

$999
APS-C

Wider angle lens

Compare Sigma dp2 Quattro vs Sigma dp1 Quattro

Compared to Sigma dp3 Quattro

Pentax K-3

Sigma dp3 Quattro

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher max flash sync

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sigma dp3 Quattro

Sigma dp2 Quattro

Sigma dp3 Quattro

$899
APS-C

Wider angle lens

$999
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma dp2 Quattro vs Sigma dp3 Quattro

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1021
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Sigma dp2 Quattro

Nikon D7200

$899
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher max flash sync

$1021
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sigma dp2 Quattro vs Nikon D7200

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