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Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
63
Imaging
72
Features
64
Overall
68
Leica Q front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs

Leica Q
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Yes Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F1.7) lens
  • 640g - 130 x 80 x 93mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Other Name is Typ 116
  • Refreshed by Leica Q2
Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Replaced the Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Leica Q and Sigma DP3 Merrill, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Leica and Sigma. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the Q (24MP) and DP3 Merrill (15MP) and the Q (Full frame) and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) posses different sensor size.

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The Q was unveiled 2 years after the DP3 Merrill which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the Q matches up against the DP3 Merrill with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica Q over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 Q DP3 Merrill 
AnnouncedJune 2015January 2013More modern by 30 months
Display resolution1040k920kSharper display (+120k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Leica Q

 DP3 Merrill Q 

Common features in the Leica Q and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 Q DP3 Merrill 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica Q has external measurements of 130mm x 80mm x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 640 grams (1.41 lbs) and the Sigma DP3 Merrill has measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Compare the Leica Q and Sigma DP3 Merrill in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the Q versus the DP3 Merrill.

Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the Q and DP3 Merrill is 63 and 83 respectively.

Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The pic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the Q and DP3 Merrill.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Q with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Leica Q will provide you with extra detail having an extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The newer Q should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Q Portrait photography details
Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography details
83
focusing manually
decent MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica Q as a Street photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Yes)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
offers touch focus
above average ISO range (50,000)
no articulating screen
heavier than competitors (640 grams)
65
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica Q Sports photography info
Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography info
69
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Yes)
decent MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
fixed focal length (28mm)
does not have phase detect AF
44
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
can't change focal length (75mm)
low fps (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica Q as a Travel photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
63
offers touch focus
decent MP (24MP)
fast max aperture (f1.7)
heavier than competitors (640g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
54
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica Q
Landscape photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
75
focusing manually
fast max aperture (f1.7)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Yes)
decent MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (50,000)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
55
focusing manually
screen is a decent size (3")
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (75mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica Q
Vlogging with Sigma DP3 Merrill
32
fast max aperture (f1.7)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Yes)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
heavier than competitors (640g)
22
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
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Leica Q vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Q and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Leica QSigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Brand Leica Sigma
Model Leica Q Sigma DP3 Merrill
Also called Typ 116 -
Category Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2015-06-10 2013-01-08
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4704 x 3136
Highest native ISO 50000 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) 75mm (1x)
Maximum aperture f/1.7 f/2.8
Macro focus range 17cm -
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds -
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds -
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 640 x 480
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 640 gr (1.41 lb) 330 gr (0.73 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 80 x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 85 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 2221 not tested
Other
Battery model BP-DC12 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots One One
Cost at release $4,300 $1,353