Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill
93 Imaging
52 Features
60 Overall
55


83 Imaging
56 Features
33 Overall
46
Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 204g - 99 x 55 x 30mm
- Released December 2013
- Updated by Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 640 x 480 video
- 75mm (F2.8) lens
- 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
- Revealed January 2013
- Succeeded the Sigma DP2 Merrill

Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview
In this write-up, we are contrasting the Panasonic GM1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the GM1 (16MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is fairly well matched but the GM1 (Four Thirds) and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) use different sensor size.

The GM1 was released 12 months later than the DP3 Merrill so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the GM1 scores versus the DP3 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 & Sigma DP3 Merrill. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic GM1 Gallery & Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill
GM1 | DP3 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2013 | ![]() | January 2013 | Fresher by 12 months |
Display resolution | 1036k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper display (+116k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Panasonic GM1
DP3 Merrill | GM1 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic GM1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill
GM1 | DP3 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM1 comes with exterior measurements of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP3 Merrill has measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).
Check out the Panasonic GM1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the GM1 vs the DP3 Merrill.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the GM1 and DP3 Merrill is 93 and 83 respectively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing purely by checking specs. The photograph below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GM1 and DP3 Merrill.
All in all, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GM1 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Panasonic GM1 will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher GM1 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 | Sigma DP3 Merrill | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sigma |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 | Sigma DP3 Merrill |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Released | 2013-12-19 | 2013-01-08 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Dual TRUE II engine |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS (Foveon X3) |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 24 x 16mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 384.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 15 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Max resolution | 4592 x 3448 | 4704 x 3136 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 75mm (1x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/2.8 |
Available lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,036 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | - |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/500 secs | - |
Fastest silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0 frames per sec | 4.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/50 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) | 640 x 480 |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 204g (0.45 lbs) | 330g (0.73 lbs) |
Dimensions | 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") | 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 66 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.3 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 660 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 shots | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) | - |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | - |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $750 | $1,353 |