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Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Key Specs

Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2010
Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 50mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Announced February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Updated by Sigma DP3 Merrill
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sigma. The resolution of the FP1 (12MP) and the DP2 Merrill (15MP) is pretty well matched but the FP1 (1/2.3") and DP2 Merrill (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FP1 was revealed 3 years before the DP2 Merrill which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the FP1 scores versus the DP2 Merrill in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 FP1 DP2 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Panasonic FP1

 DP2 Merrill FP1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012January 2010Newer by 25 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Sigma DP2 Merrill

 FP1 DP2 Merrill 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FP1 enjoys outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Sigma DP2 Merrill has dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the FP1 vs the DP2 Merrill.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FP1 and DP2 Merrill is 95 and 83 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by checking specs. The picture below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FP1 and DP2 Merrill.

All in all, both of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FP1 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will resolve extra detail because of its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FP1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FP1
Portrait photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
21
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
73
manual focus
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FP1
Street photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competition (151g)
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FP1
Sports photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
44
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FP1
Travel photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
50
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (151 grams)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
54
good MP (15MP)
missing Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FP1
Landscape photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
55
manual focus
screen size is good (3 inches)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP1
Vlogging with Sigma DP2 Merrill
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (151g)
22
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Sigma DP2 Merrill
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Sigma DP2 Merrill
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sigma
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Sigma DP2 Merrill
Type Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-06 2012-02-08
Body design Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4704 x 3136
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 50mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds -
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640x480
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151 gr (0.33 lbs) 330 gr (0.73 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal -
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $153 $931