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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Key Specs

Pentax WG-3 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
  • Released July 2013
Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 50mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Older Model is Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Later Model is Sigma DP3 Merrill
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sigma DP2 Merrill, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sigma. The resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the DP2 Merrill (15MP) is very comparable but the WG-3 GPS (1/2.3") and DP2 Merrill (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The WG-3 GPS was revealed 18 months later than the DP2 Merrill making them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the WG-3 GPS matches up versus the DP2 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 WG-3 GPS DP2 Merrill 
IntroducedJuly 2013February 2012Fresher by 18 months

Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 DP2 Merrill WG-3 GPS 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sigma DP2 Merrill

 WG-3 GPS DP2 Merrill 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax WG-3 GPS comes with outer measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sigma DP2 Merrill has specifications of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

See the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sigma DP2 Merrill in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the WG-3 GPS versus the DP2 Merrill.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 GPS and DP2 Merrill is 90 and 83 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing only by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 GPS and DP2 Merrill.

As you have seen, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The WG-3 GPS with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax WG-3 GPS will produce extra detail because of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images way more aggressively. The younger WG-3 GPS provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography advice
Sigma DP2 Merrill Portrait photography advice
41
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Street photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competitors (238g)
65
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography factors
Sigma DP2 Merrill Sports photography factors
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (240 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
44
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography advice
Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography advice
69
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
bad battery (240 shots)
heavier than competitors (238g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
54
MP count decent (15MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography features
Sigma DP2 Merrill Landscape photography features
54
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery (240 CIPA)
55
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging features
Sigma DP2 Merrill Vlogging features
34
rather wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing mic port
heavier than competitors (238g)
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sigma DP2 Merrill
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSigma DP2 Merrill
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Sigma DP2 Merrill
Category Waterproof Large Sensor Compact
Released 2013-07-19 2012-02-08
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4704 x 3136
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 50mm (1x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs -
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate - 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.40 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 640x480
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238 gr (0.52 pounds) 330 gr (0.73 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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
Battery life 240 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal -
Card slots One One
Cost at release $350 $931