Panasonic FP3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill
95 Imaging
36 Features
25 Overall
31


83 Imaging
56 Features
33 Overall
46
Panasonic FP3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
- Revealed January 2010
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 640 x 480 video
- 75mm (F2.8) lens
- 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
- Announced January 2013
- Replaced the Sigma DP2 Merrill

Panasonic FP3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview
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.

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.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery
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.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill
FP3 | DP3 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Panasonic FP3
DP3 Merrill | FP3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | January 2010 | More modern by 36 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Sigma DP3 Merrill
FP3 | DP3 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Panasonic FP3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison
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.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison
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.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 | Sigma DP3 Merrill | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sigma |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 | Sigma DP3 Merrill |
Category | Ultracompact | Large Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-01-06 | 2013-01-08 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine IV | Dual TRUE II engine |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS (Foveon X3) |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 24 x 16mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 384.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 15 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4704 x 3136 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 75mm (1x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 10cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | - |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.90 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 | 155 grams (0.34 lb) | 330 grams (0.73 lb) |
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 Overall 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 recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | - |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $182 | $1,353 |