Panasonic FP3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Following is a detailed review of the Panasonic FP3 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the FP3 (14MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is pretty close but the FP3 (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The FP3 was brought out 4 years before the DP3 Merrill which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the FP3 matches up against the DP3 Merrill in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 & Sigma DP3 Merrill. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic FP3 Gallery & Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.

In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FP3 comes with physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sigma DP3 Merrill has proportions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FP3 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the FP3 against the DP3 Merrill.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FP3 and DP3 Merrill is 95 and 83 respectively.

Normally, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes simply by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the FP3 and DP3 Merrill.

Clearly, both the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FP3 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will provide you with extra detail having its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FP3 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.