• 0.98 inch 285.7mm2
  • 4.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sigma SD15 advantages over Pentax K-5 II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.84 vs 4.81 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Pentax K-5 II advantages over Sigma SD15

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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 740 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k 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
    0.61x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 4.7 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    11 vs 5
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Pentax K-5 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Sharp, detailed images with very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

  • Read our Pentax K-5 II 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-5 II
Olympus E30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer exposure

Compare Pentax K-5 II 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-5 II
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-5 II 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-5 II
Olympus E-5
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Dual card slots

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Olympus E-5

Compared to Nikon D7000

Sigma SD15
Nikon D7000
  • $1500
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D7000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Pentax K-30

Sigma SD15
Pentax K-30
  • $1500
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Top deck display
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax K-30

Compare Other Cameras?