Canon SX40 HS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Here, we are comparing the Canon SX40 HS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Sigma. The image resolution of the SX40 HS (12MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is fairly comparable but the SX40 HS (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The SX40 HS was revealed 16 months before the DP3 Merrill making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SX40 HS matches up vs the DP3 Merrill in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX40 HS & Sigma DP3 Merrill. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX40 HS Gallery & Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX40 HS offers external dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sigma DP3 Merrill has specifications of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

See the Canon SX40 HS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SX40 HS versus the DP3 Merrill.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX40 HS and DP3 Merrill is 64 and 83 respectively.

More often than not, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The picture below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX40 HS and DP3 Merrill.

As you can see, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SX40 HS with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will provide extra detail because of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX40 HS will be behind in sensor technology.