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Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
55
Features
33
Overall
46

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(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
Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 50mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Previous Model is Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Later Model is Sigma DP3 Merrill
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Sigma. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and DP2 Merrill (15MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and DP2 Merrill (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The SX120 IS was manufactured 3 years earlier than the DP2 Merrill which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX120 IS being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SX120 IS grades vs the DP2 Merrill in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 SX120 IS DP2 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Canon SX120 IS

 DP2 Merrill SX120 IS 
LaunchedFebruary 2012August 2009Newer by 30 months
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Sigma DP2 Merrill

 SX120 IS DP2 Merrill 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX120 IS enjoys outside measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") and a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP2 Merrill has measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the DP2 Merrill.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and DP2 Merrill is 87 and 83 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over specifications. The image below may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX120 IS and DP2 Merrill.

To sum up, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will deliver more detail due to its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
33
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
73
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX120 IS
Street photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
heavier than average in class (285 grams)
65
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect AF
44
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
Travel photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
51
has built in flash
very long zoom (360mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (285g)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography factors
Sigma DP2 Merrill Landscape photography factors
36
manual focus
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
55
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging details
Sigma DP2 Merrill Vlogging details
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic jack
heavier than average in class (285g)
22
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Sigma DP2 Merrill
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISSigma DP2 Merrill
General Information
Make Canon Sigma
Model Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Sigma DP2 Merrill
Type Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-08-19 2012-02-08
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 24.7mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 -
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4704 x 3136
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-360mm (10.0x) 50mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/2.8
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 6.3 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs -
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 640x480
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 285 grams (0.63 lbs) 330 grams (0.73 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus -
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $249 $931