• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax E50 advantages over Sigma DP3 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    112 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 250 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    119g vs 400g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    37 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture more of the scene

Sigma DP3 Merrill advantages over Pentax E50

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 1.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 110k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.8 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung S860

Pentax E50
Samsung S860
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure

Compare Pentax E50 vs Samsung S860

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Samsung S860
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Samsung S860

Compared to Samsung S760

Pentax E50
Samsung S760
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure

Compare Pentax E50 vs Samsung S760

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Samsung S760
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Samsung S760

Compared to Sony DSC-S780

Pentax E50
Sony DSC-S780
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen

Compare Pentax E50 vs Sony DSC-S780

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony DSC-S780
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony DSC-S780

Compared to Fujifilm J10

Pentax E50
Fujifilm J10
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure

Compare Pentax E50 vs Fujifilm J10

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Fujifilm J10
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Fujifilm J10

Compared to Nikon L18

Pentax E50
Nikon L18
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $140
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen

Compare Pentax E50 vs Nikon L18

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Nikon L18
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $140
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Nikon L18

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