Clicky

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Superseded the Sigma SD1
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Panasonic FS12 and Sigma SD1 Merrill, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sigma. The resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is very similar but the FS12 (1/2.3") and SD1 Merrill (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

The FS12 was unveiled 4 years before the SD1 Merrill which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the FS12 grades versus the SD1 Merrill in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 FS12 SD1 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Panasonic FS12

 SD1 Merrill FS12 
IntroducedApril 2012April 2009Newer by 36 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 FS12 SD1 Merrill 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you should factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 provides external measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 Merrill has specifications of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS12 and Sigma SD1 Merrill in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the FS12 against the SD1 Merrill.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and SD1 Merrill is 95 and 57 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and SD1 Merrill.

As you can see, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FS12 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sigma SD1 Merrill will offer extra detail having an extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
65
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS12
Street photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography information
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
61
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
Travel photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
weather proof
megapixel count decent (15MP)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography information
28
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
63
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging features
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone support
9
no video shooting
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Panasonic FS12 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Make Panasonic Sigma
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sigma SD1 Merrill
Class Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-04-17 2012-04-10
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Dual True II
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 12MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sigma SA
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Available lenses - 76
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs -
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129g (0.28 pounds) 790g (1.74 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots One One
Cost at release $228 $2,339