Head to Head: Canon G5 X Mark II vs Sigma DP1 Merrill - Which Compact Powerhouse Wins Your Pocket?

When you hear large sensor compact camera, do you picture a dream machine balancing portability with image quality? As someone who’s handled thousands of cameras over the years - from chunky DSLRs to pint-size point-and-shoots - I appreciate how rare and valuable that combo truly is. Today I’m putting two intriguing large-sensor compacts under the loupe: the relatively recent Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II, announced mid-2019, and the older but fascinating Sigma DP1 Merrill from 2012.

Both promise quality beyond what smartphones can deliver but do so in very different ways. After plenty of shooting and dissecting specs to the bone, I’m sharing a detailed, hands-on comparison of these models’ strengths, weaknesses, and best-use cases. Whether you’re a casual enthusiast, a budding pro, or a cheapskate on the hunt for value, this deep dive should clear the haze. Let’s dig in!

Form and Feel: Size, Build, and Handling in the Field

First impressions count, and ergonomics can make or break a camera. Physically, these two are pretty close in weight - Canon tipping the scales at 340g, Sigma at 330g - but they feel different to hold.

• Canon G5 X Mark II: Compact for sure, but designed with substantial handgrips and a comfortable club for your right thumb. Its 111x61x46 mm body is sleek, with a sophisticated layout that suits those who want quick access without fuss. The camera employs a quality magnesium alloy shell, though it’s not weather-sealed, so keep this one dry.

• Sigma DP1 Merrill: Chunkier in its dimensions (122x67x64 mm), it feels boxy, more utilitarian. The build is solid but less refined. Sigma’s focus was clearly on image quality over ergonomics. It lacks any kind of protective sealing or grip enhancements and feels a bit clunky for extended handheld shooting.

If you crave a compact companion that blends ease of use and pocketability, the Canon holds the upper hand. But if you can tolerate the DP1’s shape, it’s surprisingly lightweight and not a backbreaker.

Controls and Usability: Who Has the Smarter Layout?

Shooters appreciate a well-thought control scheme when the decisive moment flashes by. In real life, fumbling for dials can stump your creativity.

• The Canon G5 X MII impresses with a top-plate rich in essential dials - shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a mode dial gently surround a clickable thumb dial. There’s also a pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a crisp 2.36 million-dot resolution offering excellent coverage and detail - substantially better than most compacts. Bonus: the 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1040k dots while handy feels responsive for menus and touch autofocus.

• The Sigma DP1 Merrill, in pure contrast, is spartan. No EVF, no touchscreen, and a fixed 3-inch LCD with 920k dots means you’ll often be shooting blind in harsh light. The physical buttons and dials are minimal and less thoughtfully placed. No autofocus touch capabilities either.

If you’re the type who likes to tweak on the fly, shoot quickly, and rely on a bright EVF when sun glare hits, Canon runs circles around Sigma here.

Sensor Showdown: Technology, Resolution, and Image Quality

Here’s where things get juicy for pixel peepers. Both are large sensor compacts, but their sensors represent completely different philosophies.

• Canon G5 X Mark II sports a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm) with 20 megapixels, aided by the responsive DIGIC 8 processor. BSI (Back-Side Illuminated) tech helps improve low-light gathering compared to older CMOS designs. The sensor size fits nicely between compact and Micro Four Thirds, striking a balance of quality and size. Maximum ISO is respectable at 12,800 native, extended to 25,600, though noise rises sharply late innings. The camera supports RAW output, empowering post-processing.

• Sigma DP1 Merrill relies on an APS-C Foveon X3 CMOS sensor (24 x 16 mm) with 15 megapixels - though the unique layered Foveon technology captures red, green, and blue color data at each pixel location (unlike traditional Bayer sensors). This promises incredibly rich color depth and sharpness, especially in well-lit scenarios. Unfortunately, the native ISO is capped at 6400 with no extension, and high ISO noise is a known challenge due to the sensor and older processing.

In practice: Canon’s sensor flexes better versatility across light levels, while Sigma excels at daylight portraits and landscapes with punchy colors and striking detail (if you tame ISO use). The Sigma’s Foveon sensor imparts a distinct “digital film” look beloved by some image purists but demands more deliberate shooting.

Live View and LCD Experience: Essential for Street and Travel Shooters

The Canon’s tilting touchscreen is a joy to use for framing creative angles or quick video capture. Touch autofocus and menu navigation reduce headaches during fast-paced shooting. The EVF further eases eyeball comfort and boosts reliability under bright skies.

By contrast, Sigma’s fixed LCD has modest resolution, no touch, and no magnification. You’ll be squinting to confirm precise focus or exposure, which occasionally saps confidence when shooting on the fly or in the street.

For travel or spontaneous street photography, the Canon’s modern screen tech makes a world of difference.

Autofocus, Speed, and Burst Shooting: Can These Keep Up?

Speed matters when capturing fleeting moments, especially in wildlife or sports.

• Canon G5 X MII offers contrast-detection autofocus with face and eye detection (no phase detection sadly), but it is surprisingly snappy with 30 fps continuous shooting (albeit in limited buffer bursts). AF tracking performs well enough for casual wildlife or street sports. The camera also provides optical image stabilization, crucial for sharp handheld shots.

• Sigma DP1 Merrill is decidedly slower and more deliberate. Autofocus relies on contrast detection with no tracking or face detection; it doesn’t support continuous AF. Burst shooting isn’t a selling point here, so consider the DP1 more for slow, methodical capturing than high-speed action.

For sports and wildlife photographers needing quick focus and high frame rates, Canon is clearly the workhorse. Sigma is more a “take your time” art camera.

Canon G5 X MII front Canon G5 X MII screen back Sigma DP1 Merrill front Sigma DP1 Merrill screen back

How Do Their Photos Actually Look? Real-World Image Examples

I put both cameras through shoots covering portrait, landscape, and macro scenes to judge actual output.

• Portraits: Canon renders pleasing skin tones with natural warmth aided by DIGIC 8’s color tuning. The f/1.8-2.8 lens gives you nice subject separation and a soft background (bokeh), especially at the wide end. Eye autofocus helps nail sharp eyes, providing confidence in fast portraits.

Sigma’s portraits have a unique character; colors are deep and saturated, edges extremely sharp without the artificial smoothness you sometimes see on Canon’s JPEG output. However, slow focusing and lack of eye AF mean you’ll need patience here.

• Landscapes: Sigma’s large APS-C Foveon sensor shines, capturing more dynamic range and richer details in shadows and highlights. Canon holds up well but tends to clip highlights sooner and show less shadow nuance. The Sigma’s resolution (15 MP) undersells its color fidelity advantage.

• Macro: The Canon’s 5cm macro focus range combined with optical IS lets you get close steadily, useful for casual macro shots. Sigma doesn’t tout strong macro feature and lacks stabilization.

Bottom line: Canon is a versatile all-rounder for everyday shooting, while Sigma is a specialist for deliberate, high-detail daylight work.

Video Capabilities: Which Compact is Moving Pictures Ready?

Video enthusiasts or hybrid shooters should pay close attention.

• Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II offers solid 4K UHD video at 30p with a high 120 Mbps bitrate and AAC audio. While it lacks microphone or headphone jacks, its stabilization and live autofocus deliver competent results for casual filmmakers and vloggers. The touchscreen interface helps quickly navigate video modes.

• Sigma DP1 Merrill is strictly about photographs. Video maxes out at 640x480 VGA resolution with basic Motion JPEG encoding - laughably outdated by today’s standards. No microphone input, no stabilization, no modern formats.

If video matters to you at all, Canon is the clear choice.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Will You Keep Shooting?

The Canon’s battery claims about 230 shots per charge using the LCD or EVF, which is fair for a compact but you’ll want spares if traveling or shooting extensively. It uses a proprietary battery pack with decent recharge times.

Sigma’s DP1 Merrill battery life isn’t readily documented but is considered limited due to its age and lack of power-optimized features. Also, it uses older storage formats, whereas Canon supports modern SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with UHS-I compatibility for faster write speeds.

If you’re planning on extended trips with limited charging options, Canon’s ecosystem is newer and friendlier.

Connectivity: Wireless, Ports, and Modern Conveniences

Canon includes modern connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for quick image transfer and remote control apps, plus a micro-HDMI port for external monitoring.

Sigma DP1 Merrill lags here with no wireless options, no HDMI out, and just USB 2.0 (hardly speedy by current standards).

For photographers who upload on the go or want tethered shooting, the Canon wins hands down.

Performance Recap: Where Each Camera Excels and Falls Short

Genre-Specific Insights: Who Shines Where?

• Portraits: Canon’s fast lens and eye AF make it a great everyday portrait tool. Sigma delivers shocking color depth but demands patience.

• Landscape: Sigma’s sensor gives richer detail and wider dynamic range, perfect for deliberate landscape imaging.

• Wildlife: Canon’s eye detection, burst speed, and IS help here. Sigma too slow and lacks AF aid.

• Sports: Canon only, with fast burst rates and tracking.

• Street: Canon’s EVF, discreet size, and fast AF win hands down.

• Macro: Canon only, with closer focusing and IS.

• Night/Astro: Canon’s better high ISO and exposure control.

• Travel: Canon’s combination of size, screen, and connectivity beats.

• Professional use: Sigma may appeal to fine-art shooters; Canon is more versatile for general pros.

Who Should Buy Which?

Here’s the bottom line depending on your preferences and budget:

Final Verdict: My Hands-On Experience Summed Up

After extensive personal testing - ranging from damp forest shoots to bustling city streets - the Canon G5 X Mark II emerges as the more versatile, user-friendly, and modern compact powerhouse. Its balance of speed, image quality, video capability, and thoughtful ergonomics makes it a reliable companion for most enthusiasts and professionals needing a capable “grab and go” tool.

The Sigma DP1 Merrill, while aging in tech, remains a gem for photographers valuing its unique Foveon sensor’s color reproduction and sharpness. It’s best seen as a deliberate artistic tool rather than a fast or flexible everyday camera. Its limitations in focus speed, no video, and dated interface mean it’s a niche choice, often better for studio or controlled natural light conditions.

For those who want a compact packed clubs for their thumbs, the Canon serves up smarter controls plus modern connectivity and stabilization, vital in today’s fast-moving photo and video world. The Sigma rewards patience and care but comes with tradeoffs in speed and convenience.

Whichever you pick, remember the key: a camera’s tool value is measured by how often it goes out with you and sparks your creativity. Take these insights, see where your style fits, and shoot confidently knowing you’ve chosen wisely.

If you enjoyed this side-by-side, feel free to shoot questions my way - I’ve got years of hands-on tricks and tips to help you get the most from your gear. Happy snapping!