Panasonic FH20 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic FH20 and Sigma DP1 Merrill, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the FH20 (14MP) and the DP1 Merrill (15MP) is relatively close but the FH20 (1/2.3") and DP1 Merrill (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The FH20 was introduced 3 years prior to the DP1 Merrill which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the FH20 grades vs the DP1 Merrill in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 & Sigma DP1 Merrill. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic FH20 Gallery & Sigma DP1 Merrill Gallery.

For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH20 provides outer dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP1 Merrill has proportions of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH20 and Sigma DP1 Merrill in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the FH20 and the DP1 Merrill.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH20 and DP1 Merrill is 93 and 82 respectively.

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing technical specs. The picture here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH20 and DP1 Merrill.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FH20 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sigma DP1 Merrill will provide you with extra detail using its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged FH20 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.