Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax K-50

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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax K-50

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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 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-50 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-50.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-70
Compare K-50 vs K-70
Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax K-70

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Differences

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Pentax K-50

Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Pentax K-50 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
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

480 vs 97 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 3.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
30 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read K-50 User Reviews

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Buy the Sigma DP1 Merrill

Sigma DP1 Merrill

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Buy the Pentax K-50

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses
Kit with 18-55mm lens

All K-50 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

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-50 First Shots

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-50

Leica X2

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$1499
APS-C

Thinner
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Leica X2

Compared to Sony A37

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Sony A37

$849
APS-C

Thinner
Higher-res screen

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37

Pentax K-50

Sony A37

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$600
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A37

Compared to Nikon D3300

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Nikon D3300

$849
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Doesn't require an AA filter

$206
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Nikon D3300

Pentax K-50

Nikon D3300

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$206
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D3300

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-50

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$1534
APS-C

Thinner
Higher max flash sync

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

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-50

Fujifilm X70

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
APS-C

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Fujifilm X70

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