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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
37
Overall
35
Olympus TG-820 iHS front
 
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
Portability
82
Imaging
55
Features
30
Overall
45

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Key Specs

Olympus TG-820 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 206g - 101 x 65 x 26mm
  • Launched February 2012
Sigma DP1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 64mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • New Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sigma DP1 Merrill, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sigma. The resolution of the TG-820 iHS (12MP) and the DP1 Merrill (15MP) is fairly similar but the TG-820 iHS (1/2.3") and DP1 Merrill (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The TG-820 iHS was revealed within a month of the DP1 Merrill so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-820 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the TG-820 iHS grades vs the DP1 Merrill in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-820 iHS over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 TG-820 iHS DP1 Merrill 
Display dimension3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution1030k920kCrisper display (+110k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Olympus TG-820 iHS

 DP1 Merrill TG-820 iHS 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sigma DP1 Merrill

 TG-820 iHS DP1 Merrill 
LaunchedFebruary 2012February 2012Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus TG-820 iHS has got physical dimensions of 101mm x 65mm x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP1 Merrill has specifications of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sigma DP1 Merrill in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the TG-820 iHS versus the DP1 Merrill.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-820 iHS and DP1 Merrill is 92 and 82 respectively.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by reading a spec sheet. The picture below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-820 iHS and DP1 Merrill.

Clearly, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The TG-820 iHS with its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Sigma DP1 Merrill will offer extra detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos much more aggressively.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Portrait photography features
Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography features
26
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
73
focusing manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-820 iHS
Street photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
64
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-820 iHS
Sports photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
34
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
47
MP count good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
58
environment proof
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
53
MP count good (15 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-820 iHS
Landscape photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
38
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
50
focusing manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small ( inch)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Vlogging factors
Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging factors
33
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
21
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic support
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sigma DP1 Merrill
 Olympus TG-820 iHSSigma DP1 Merrill
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sigma
Model type Olympus TG-820 iHS Sigma DP1 Merrill
Type Waterproof Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-08 2012-02-08
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4704 x 3136
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) ()
Maximum aperture f/3.9-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" -
Resolution of display 1,030 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds -
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 640 x 480
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206 grams (0.45 pounds) 330 grams (0.73 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 65 x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5")
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 220 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) -
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $500 $1,250