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Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
62
Imaging
60
Features
90
Overall
72
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs

Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Introduced November 2017
Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Previous Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Panasonic G9 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sigma. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the G9 (20MP) and DP3 Merrill (15MP) and the G9 (Four Thirds) and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The G9 was revealed 4 years after the DP3 Merrill which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the G9 grades vs the DP3 Merrill when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 G9 DP3 Merrill 
ReleasedNovember 2017January 2013Newer by 59 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k920kClearer display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Panasonic G9

 DP3 Merrill G9 

Common features in the Panasonic G9 and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 G9 DP3 Merrill 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size

Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic G9 has got physical measurements of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") and a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP3 Merrill has sizing of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

See the Panasonic G9 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the G9 vs the DP3 Merrill.

Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the G9 and DP3 Merrill is 62 and 83 respectively.

Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The pic below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the G9 and DP3 Merrill.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The G9 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Panasonic G9 will show extra detail because of its extra 5MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher G9 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G9 Portrait photography details
Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography details
76
focusing manually
decent megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
73
has manual focus
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G9 Street photography info
Sigma DP3 Merrill Street photography info
75
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
65
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G9
Sports photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
bad battery (400 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
44
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
can't change focal length (75mm)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G9 Travel photography details
Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography details
70
environment proof
has bluetooth
includes touch focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery (400 shots)
54
decent megapixels (15MP)
no Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G9 Landscape photography advice
Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography advice
76
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
bad battery (400 shots)
55
has manual focus
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (75mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic G9
Vlogging with Sigma DP3 Merrill
76
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic socket
22
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone support
Photography Glossary

Panasonic G9 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G9 and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9Sigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sigma
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Sigma DP3 Merrill
Type Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2017-11-08 2013-01-08
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4704 x 3136
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 225 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 75mm (1x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.83x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds -
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 20.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 640 x 480
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 658 gr (1.45 pounds) 330 gr (0.73 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery life 400 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) -
Card slots Dual Single
Pricing at release $1,500 $1,353