Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-5 II vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-5 II Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-5 II.

APS-C 369.0mm²
14.8 megapixels
75.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sigma DP3 Merrill Review.

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Differences

Pentax K-5 II advantages over Sigma DP3 Merrill

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

740 vs 97 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
6.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
28 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
22 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 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

Sigma DP3 Merrill advantages over Pentax K-5 II

Less expensive
$1000 vs $1450 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

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

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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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-5 II User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Sigma DP3 Merrill

Sigma DP3

All DP3 Merrill Deals

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

We haven’t reviewed the Sigma DP3 Merrill.
Read our Sigma DP3 Merrill Preview

The Competition

Compared to 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

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Nikon D7000

$899
APS-C

Less expensive
Doesn't require an AA filter

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Pentax K-5

Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-5

$699
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach

$800
APS-C

Less shutter lag

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax K-5

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Pentax K-5

$899
APS-C

Doesn't require an AA filter

$800
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Pentax K-5

Compared to 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

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Pentax K-30

$899
APS-C

Less expensive
Doesn't require an AA filter

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-5 II

Canon T4i

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Canon T4i

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Canon T4i

$899
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Canon T4i

Compared to Canon 70D

Pentax K-5 II

Canon 70D

$699
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Canon 70D

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Canon 70D

$899
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Doesn't require an AA filter

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Canon 70D

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