Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Pentax Q7

Cameras
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Pentax Q7

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

Go in depth with our full Sigma DP3 Merrill Review.

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax Q7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the Q7.

Succeeded by the Pentax Q-S1
Compare Q7 vs Q-S1
Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Pentax Q-S1

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Differences

Sigma DP3 Merrill advantages over Pentax Q7

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.00 vs 1.90 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
More dots on screen
922k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
14.8 vs 12.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Pentax Q7 advantages over Sigma DP3 Merrill

Less expensive
$500 vs $1000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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

250 vs 97 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
33 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
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
Lighter weight
200g vs 400g
Lighter weight
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
5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
12800 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
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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 Q7 User Reviews

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Sigma DP3

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Buy the Pentax Q7

Kit with 5-15mm Lens

Kit with 5-15mm Lens
Body Only
Kit with 5-15mm and 15-45mm Lenses

Review Excerpt

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax Q7, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax Q7 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S1

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Nikon S1

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$199
1 inch

Less expensive
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Nikon S1

Pentax Q7

Nikon S1

$380
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$199
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Nikon S1

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Samsung NX Mini

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$600
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Samsung NX Mini

Pentax Q7

Samsung NX Mini

$380
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$600
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Nikon J4

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Nikon J4

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$350
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Nikon J4

Pentax Q7

Nikon J4

$380
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$350
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Nikon J4

Compared to Nikon S2

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Nikon S2

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$399
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Nikon S2

Pentax Q7

Nikon S2

$380
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$399
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Nikon S2

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Pentax Q-S1

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$350
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Pentax Q-S1

Pentax Q7

Pentax Q-S1

$380
1/1.7 inch

$350
1/1.7 inch

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Pentax Q-S1

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