Canon SX20 IS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill

Lets look a little more closely at the Canon SX20 IS versus Sigma DP2 Merrill, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Sigma. The resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the DP2 Merrill (15MP) is fairly well matched but the SX20 IS (1/2.3") and DP2 Merrill (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SX20 IS was introduced 19 months before the DP2 Merrill making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the SX20 IS matches up against the DP2 Merrill in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and Sigma DP2 Merrill. The whole galleries are available at Canon SX20 IS Gallery and Sigma DP2 Merrill Gallery.

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS comes with outer dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Sigma DP2 Merrill has proportions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX20 IS versus Sigma DP2 Merrill in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the DP2 Merrill.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and DP2 Merrill is 65 and 83 respectively.

More often than not, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements simply by checking specifications. The photograph below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and DP2 Merrill.

Plainly, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SX20 IS having a tinier sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will resolve more detail using its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images way more aggressively. The older SX20 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.