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Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W80 front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47

Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax W80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 156g - 100 x 56 x 25mm
  • Announced June 2009
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
  • Released January 2013
  • Replaced the Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Pentax W80 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sigma. The resolution of the W80 (12MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is fairly comparable but the W80 (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The W80 was brought out 4 years earlier than the DP3 Merrill and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax W80 being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the W80 grades vs the DP3 Merrill for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax W80 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 W80 DP3 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Pentax W80

 DP3 Merrill W80 
ReleasedJanuary 2013June 2009Fresher by 43 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax W80 and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 W80 DP3 Merrill 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax W80 has outer measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs) while 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 out the Pentax W80 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the W80 against the DP3 Merrill.

Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the W80 and DP3 Merrill is 94 and 83 respectively.

Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the W80 and DP3 Merrill.

Clearly, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The W80 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will provide extra detail having its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The older W80 will be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax W80 Portrait photography information
Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography information
27
manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax W80 as a Street photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Street photography camera
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax W80
Sports photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
24
weather sealing
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
45
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
can't change focal length (75mm)
slow frames per second (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax W80 as a Travel photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
64
weather sealing
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
54
resolution is good (15MP)
no Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W80 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
37
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
manual focus
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (75mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax W80
Vlogging with Sigma DP3 Merrill
25
quite wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
22
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone port
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Pentax W80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W80 and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Pentax Optio W80Sigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Brand Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax Optio W80 Sigma DP3 Merrill
Type Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-06-25 2013-01-08
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4704 x 3136
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 75mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.8
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds -
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 156 grams (0.34 lbs) 330 grams (0.73 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 56 x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery ID D-LI78 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal -
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $250 $1,353