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Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
33
Overall
44
Leica X1 front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47

Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs

Leica X1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • 35mm (F2.8) lens
  • 306g - 124 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Refreshed by Leica X2
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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Leica X1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Leica and Sigma. The resolution of the X1 (12MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The X1 was released 4 years prior to the DP3 Merrill and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the X1 matches up against the DP3 Merrill with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica X1 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 X1 DP3 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Leica X1

 DP3 Merrill X1 
IntroducedJanuary 2013December 2009More recent by 37 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Leica X1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 X1 DP3 Merrill 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Leica X1 enjoys outer dimensions of 124mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs) whilst 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).

Check out the Leica X1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the X1 compared to the DP3 Merrill.

Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the X1 and DP3 Merrill is 89 and 83 respectively.

Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the X1 and DP3 Merrill.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sigma DP3 Merrill to give greater detail as a result of its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older X1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X1 Portrait photography factors
Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography factors
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica X1 Street photography advice
Sigma DP3 Merrill Street photography advice
70
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (306 grams)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
65
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica X1 Sports photography information
Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography information
34
sensor size is good (APS-C)
can't change focal length (35mm)
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect autofocus
45
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (75mm)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X1 Travel photography information
Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography information
59
lighter than competition (306g)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
54
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X1 Landscape photography advice
Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography advice
44
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
56
you can focus manually
nice screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (75mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X1 Vlogging information
Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging information
9
can't record video
22
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic support
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Leica X1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Leica X1Sigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Brand Leica Sigma
Model Leica X1 Sigma DP3 Merrill
Category Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-12-18 2013-01-08
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Maximum resolution 4272 x 2856 4704 x 3136
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
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
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35mm (1x) 75mm (1x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8 f/2.8
Macro focus range 30cm -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs -
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 640 x 480
Maximum video resolution None 640x480
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 306 gr (0.67 pounds) 330 gr (0.73 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 60 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card -
Card slots One One
Launch cost $1,495 $1,353