Panasonic ZR1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZR1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is relatively comparable but the ZR1 (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The ZR1 was brought out 4 years prior to the DP3 Merrill which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ZR1 scores vs the DP3 Merrill in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 & Sigma DP3 Merrill. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZR1 Gallery & Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR1 offers outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sigma DP3 Merrill has proportions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZR1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the ZR1 vs the DP3 Merrill.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the ZR1 and DP3 Merrill is 94 and 83 respectively.

In many cases, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by checking out a spec sheet. The image underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR1 and DP3 Merrill.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZR1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will produce extra detail having its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged ZR1 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.