Olympus E-30 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus E-30 and Sigma DP1 Merrill, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sigma. The image resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the DP1 Merrill (15MP) is fairly similar but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and DP1 Merrill (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-30 was launched 3 years before the DP1 Merrill and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-30 matches up versus the DP1 Merrill with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-30 and Sigma DP1 Merrill. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-30 Gallery and Sigma DP1 Merrill Gallery.

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 offers exterior measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") and a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Sigma DP1 Merrill has measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-30 and Sigma DP1 Merrill in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-30 vs the DP1 Merrill.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and DP1 Merrill is 60 and 82 respectively.

Quite often, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by going over specs. The graphic here may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and DP1 Merrill.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-30 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sigma DP1 Merrill will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The older E-30 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.