Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax K-3 II

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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax K-3 II

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APS-C 369.0mm²
14.8 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sigma DP1 Merrill Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DP1 Merrill.

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

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

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 III
Compare K-3 II vs K-3 III
Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax K-3 III

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Differences

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Pentax K-3 II

Bigger pixels
~ 5.00 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Lighter weight
391g vs 785g
Lighter weight

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

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
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

720 vs 97 shots
Capture more photos
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 0.49 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 14.8 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
8.1 fps vs 3.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
60 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.2 fps vs 3.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
22 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

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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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 II User Reviews

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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

Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots
No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors
Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Pentax K-3 II

Leica X2

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$1499
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Internal flash

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Leica X2

Compared to 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)

Pentax K-3 II

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$1534
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Internal flash

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Compared to Canon T6i

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon T6i

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Fujifilm X70

$849
APS-C

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Fujifilm X70

Pentax K-3 II

Fujifilm X70

$830
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Fujifilm X70

Compared to Pentax KP

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Pentax KP

$849
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Lighter weight

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

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