Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill

Below is a extended assessment of the Olympus Tough-3000 versus Sigma DP2 Merrill, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sigma. The resolution of the Tough-3000 (12MP) and the DP2 Merrill (15MP) is pretty well matched but the Tough-3000 (1/2.3") and DP2 Merrill (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The Tough-3000 was manufactured 3 years before the DP2 Merrill and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus Tough-3000 being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the Tough-3000 scores vs the DP2 Merrill in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 and Sigma DP2 Merrill. The entire galleries are available at Olympus Tough-3000 Gallery and Sigma DP2 Merrill Gallery.

If you are going to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus Tough-3000 comes with physical measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sigma DP2 Merrill has specifications of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus Tough-3000 versus Sigma DP2 Merrill in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the Tough-3000 and the DP2 Merrill.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the Tough-3000 and DP2 Merrill is 94 and 83 respectively.

Often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements only by looking at specs. The photograph here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the Tough-3000 and DP2 Merrill.

All in all, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Tough-3000 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will give greater detail due to its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older Tough-3000 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.