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Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
64
Imaging
60
Features
52
Overall
56
Leica X-U front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47

Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs

Leica X-U
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F1.7-16.0) lens
  • 635g - 140 x 79 x 88mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Other Name is Typ 113
Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Old Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

Following is a in-depth review of the Leica X-U and Sigma DP3 Merrill, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Leica and Sigma. The resolution of the X-U (16MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The X-U was revealed 3 years after the DP3 Merrill which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the X-U grades versus the DP3 Merrill for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica X-U over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 X-U DP3 Merrill 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016January 2013More modern by 37 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Leica X-U

 DP3 Merrill X-U 

Common features in the Leica X-U and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 X-U DP3 Merrill 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution920k920kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and size. The Leica X-U has outside dimensions of 140mm x 79mm x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 635 grams (1.40 lbs) while the Sigma DP3 Merrill has specifications of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Examine the Leica X-U and Sigma DP3 Merrill in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the X-U vs the DP3 Merrill.

Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the X-U and DP3 Merrill is 64 and 83 respectively.

Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The picture underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the X-U and DP3 Merrill.

To sum up, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Leica X-U to give greater detail because of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer X-U is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X-U Portrait photography features
Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography features
76
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
74
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica X-U
Street photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
64
fully articulated screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (635 grams)
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica X-U Sports photography highlights
Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography highlights
55
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment sealing
good battery pack (450 per charge)
fixed focal length (35mm)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
fixed focal length (75mm)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica X-U Travel photography details
Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography details
62
good battery pack (450 shots)
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (635g)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X-U as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
63
manual focus
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery pack (450 shots)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
56
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (75mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica X-U
Vlogging with Sigma DP3 Merrill
25
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (635 grams)
22
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic socket
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Leica X-U vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X-U and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Leica X-USigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Company Leica Sigma
Model type Leica X-U Sigma DP3 Merrill
Otherwise known as Typ 113 -
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Released 2016-01-20 2013-01-08
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4704 x 3136
Highest native ISO 12500 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35mm (1x) 75mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/1.7-16.0 f/2.8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs -
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 2.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Automatic, automatic/red eye reduction, on, on/red eye reduction, long-term synchronization/red eye reduction, off no built-in flash
External flash
AE 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 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 640 x 480
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 635g (1.40 pounds) 330g (0.73 pounds)
Physical dimensions 140 x 79 x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 450 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP-DC8 -
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $3,495 $1,353