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Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill

Portability
55
Imaging
77
Features
84
Overall
79
Leica SL2-S front
 
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Key Specs

Leica SL2-S
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 931g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Announced December 2020
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
  • Announced February 2012
  • Superseded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Refreshed by Sigma DP3 Merrill
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Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Overview

Following is a extended review of the Leica SL2-S and Sigma DP2 Merrill, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Leica and Sigma. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SL2-S (24MP) and DP2 Merrill (15MP) and the SL2-S (Full frame) and DP2 Merrill (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The SL2-S was revealed 8 years after the DP2 Merrill which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Leica SL2-S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SL2-S scores vs the DP2 Merrill for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL2-S over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 SL2-S DP2 Merrill 
AnnouncedDecember 2020February 2012More modern by 108 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k920kSharper display (+1180k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Leica SL2-S

 DP2 Merrill SL2-S 

Common features in the Leica SL2-S and Sigma DP2 Merrill

 SL2-S DP2 Merrill 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica SL2-S has outside measurements of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") having a weight of 931 grams (2.05 lbs) while the Sigma DP2 Merrill has measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Contrast the Leica SL2-S and Sigma DP2 Merrill in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SL2-S versus the DP2 Merrill.

Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SL2-S and DP2 Merrill is 55 and 83 respectively.

Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through specs. The image below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SL2-S and DP2 Merrill.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SL2-S using its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Leica SL2-S will give greater detail because of its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more modern SL2-S will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill sensor size comparison

Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica SL2-S
Portrait photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
86
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
73
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica SL2-S Street photography information
Sigma DP2 Merrill Street photography information
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
weather proof
good ISO range (50,000)
fixed screen
more heavy than others (931g)
65
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL2-S Sports photography info
Sigma DP2 Merrill Sports photography info
83
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
high max fps (20.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proof
great battery (510 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
44
MP count good (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica SL2-S
Travel photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
65
great battery (510 CIPA)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
good megapixels (24MP)
more heavy than others (931 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
54
MP count good (15MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Leica SL2-S Landscape photography factors
Sigma DP2 Merrill Landscape photography factors
86
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (50,000)
saves RAW files
weather proof
great battery (510 per charge)
has dual storage slots
55
you can focus manually
nice screen size (3")
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica SL2-S
Vlogging with Sigma DP2 Merrill
32
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
more heavy than others (931g)
22
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
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Leica SL2-S vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2-S and Sigma DP2 Merrill
 Leica SL2-SSigma DP2 Merrill
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sigma
Model type Leica SL2-S Sigma DP2 Merrill
Category Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2020-12-10 2012-02-08
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 area 864.0mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4704 x 3136
Maximum native ISO 50000 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 225 -
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 50mm (1x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8
Number of lenses 36 -
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,100k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1800 seconds -
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 20.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 50p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 20 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 20 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 640x480
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 931 grams (2.05 pounds) 330 grams (0.73 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 510 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP-SCL4 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) -
Storage slots 2 1
Retail price $4,895 $931