Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


82 Imaging
55 Features
30 Overall
45
Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Introduced August 2009
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- " Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 640 x 480 video
- ()mm (F2.8) lens
- 330g - 122 x 67 x 64mm
- Announced February 2012
- Replacement is Sigma DP2 Merrill

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Overview
Lets examine more in depth at the Canon SX120 IS versus Sigma DP1 Merrill, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Sigma. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and DP1 Merrill (15MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and DP1 Merrill (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

The SX120 IS was unveiled 3 years before the DP1 Merrill which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX120 IS being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SX120 IS grades versus the DP1 Merrill in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS & Sigma DP1 Merrill. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX120 IS Gallery & Sigma DP1 Merrill Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sigma DP1 Merrill
SX120 IS | DP1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | " | Larger display (+3") |
Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Canon SX120 IS
DP1 Merrill | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2012 | ![]() | August 2009 | More modern by 30 months |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Sigma DP1 Merrill
SX120 IS | DP1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX120 IS has physical dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") along with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Sigma DP1 Merrill has sizing of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX120 IS versus Sigma DP1 Merrill in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SX120 IS versus the DP1 Merrill.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and DP1 Merrill is 87 and 82 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The picture here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and DP1 Merrill.
All in all, both the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SX120 IS with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Sigma DP1 Merrill will provide you with greater detail having an extra 5MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Sigma DP1 Merrill | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Sigma |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Sigma DP1 Merrill |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2009-08-19 | 2012-02-08 |
Body design | Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | Dual TRUE II engine |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS (Foveon X3) |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 24 x 16mm |
Sensor area | 24.7mm² | 384.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 15 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4704 x 3136 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | () |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/2.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | - |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | - |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2500s | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 640 x 480 |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 285g (0.63 lb) | 330g (0.73 lb) |
Dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery ID | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | - |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $249 | $1,250 |