Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax K-500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax K-500

Leave Feedback

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-500 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-500.

Buy From

Differences

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Pentax K-500

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

Pentax K-500 advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$600 vs $799 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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

710 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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-500 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma DP1 Merrill

Sigma DP1 Merrill

All DP1 Merrill Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-500

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-500 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-500, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-500 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Sony A57

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Sony A57

$849
APS-C

Doesn't require an AA filter

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A57

Pentax K-500

Sony A57

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57

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-500

Leica X2

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1499
APS-C

Thinner
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Leica X2

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Pentax K-5 IIs

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$497
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-500

Pentax K-5 IIs

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

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-500

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1534
APS-C

Thinner
Higher max flash sync

Compare Pentax K-500 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-500

Fujifilm X70

$597
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Fujifilm X70

Compare Other Cameras?