Samsung CL5 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Here, we will be analyzing the Samsung CL5 and Sigma SD1 Merrill, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sigma. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the CL5 (9MP) and SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the CL5 (1/2.5") and SD1 Merrill (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The CL5 was revealed 4 years before the SD1 Merrill and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung CL5 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the CL5 grades versus the SD1 Merrill with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung CL5 & Sigma SD1 Merrill. The full galleries are viewable at Samsung CL5 Gallery & Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery.

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Samsung CL5 comes with outer dimensions of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sigma SD1 Merrill has measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

See the Samsung CL5 and Sigma SD1 Merrill in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the CL5 compared to the SD1 Merrill.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the CL5 and SD1 Merrill is 95 and 57 respectively.

More often than not, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The graphic below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the CL5 and SD1 Merrill.

As you can tell, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The CL5 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Sigma SD1 Merrill will offer greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The older CL5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.