Sigma SD15 vs Pentax K-3

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Sigma SD15 vs Pentax K-3

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0.98 inch 285.7mm²
4.7 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Sigma SD15 Review.

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.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Sigma SD15 vs Pentax K-3 II

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Differences

Sigma SD15 advantages over Pentax K-3

Bigger pixels
~ 7.84 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sigma SD15

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 0.98 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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

560 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
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
More dots on screen
1037k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.53x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.4 vs 4.7 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
More AF points
27 vs 5
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 21 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SD15 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sigma SD15.
Read our Sigma SD15 Preview

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

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E30

Sigma SD15

Olympus E30

$1500
0.98 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1299
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Olympus E30

Pentax K-3

Olympus E30

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$1299
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Longer exposure

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Olympus E30

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Sigma SD15

Sony DSLR-A330

$1500
0.98 inch

Bigger pixels
Top deck display

$530
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Pentax K-3

Sony DSLR-A330

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$530
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Compared to Olympus E-5

Sigma SD15

Olympus E-5

$1500
0.98 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1700
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Olympus E-5

Pentax K-3

Olympus E-5

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$1700
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Olympus E-5

Compared to Nikon D7100

Sigma SD15

Nikon D7100

$1500
0.98 inch

Bigger pixels
Doesn't require an AA filter

$810
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$810
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Sigma SD15

Nikon D5300

$1500
0.98 inch

Bigger pixels
Top deck display

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sigma SD15 vs 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

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