• 1/2.35 inch 27.3mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 180.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax M50 advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $799 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    180 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
    23 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    116g vs 391g
    Lighter weight

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Pentax M50

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.35 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 1.85 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 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax M50

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sigma DP1 Merrill
All DP1 Merrill Deals

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 Ricoh R50

Pentax M50
Ricoh R50
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Pentax M50 vs Ricoh R50

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Ricoh R50
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Ricoh R50

Compared to Nikon S560

Pentax M50
Nikon S560
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels

Compare Pentax M50 vs Nikon S560

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Nikon S560
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Nikon S560

Compared to Olympus FE-370

Pentax M50
Olympus FE-370
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $136
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax M50 vs Olympus FE-370

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Olympus FE-370
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $136
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Olympus FE-370

Compared to Leica X2

Pentax M50
Leica X2
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax M50 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 M50
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax M50 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?