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Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
60
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs

Panasonic GM1
(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
Sigma DP3 Merrill
(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
Photography Glossary

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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 GM1 DP3 Merrill 
RevealedDecember 2013January 2013Fresher by 12 months
Display resolution1036k920kCrisper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
64
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
73
you can focus manually
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GM1
Street photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
76
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
lighter than others in class (204 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
65
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Sports photography factors
Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography factors
48
silent mode (1/16,000s)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/500s)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (230 shots)
has no phase detect AF
44
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (75mm)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Travel photography info
Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography info
74
lighter than others in class (204g)
includes touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
MP count decent (15MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Landscape photography highlights
Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
68
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
55
you can focus manually
decent sized screen (3")
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (75mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Vlogging factors
Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging factors
35
built-in touchscreen
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (204 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
22
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic port
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Panasonic GM1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1Sigma 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