Pentax WG-3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Here, we are evaluating the Pentax WG-3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is fairly well matched but the WG-3 (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The WG-3 was revealed 7 months after the DP3 Merrill so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a short view of how the WG-3 grades vs the DP3 Merrill in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax WG-3 & Sigma DP3 Merrill. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax WG-3 Gallery & Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-3 offers external dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sigma DP3 Merrill has dimensions 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 WG-3 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the WG-3 and the DP3 Merrill.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and DP3 Merrill is 90 and 83 respectively.

Quite often, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at specifications. The picture below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-3 and DP3 Merrill.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The WG-3 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax WG-3 will resolve more detail because of its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The fresher WG-3 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.