Samsung CL80 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Below is a extensive overview of the Samsung CL80 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Samsung and Sigma. The resolution of the CL80 (14MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is fairly close but the CL80 (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The CL80 was announced 4 years earlier than the DP3 Merrill and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung CL80 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the CL80 scores against the DP3 Merrill when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Samsung CL80 and Sigma DP3 Merrill. The whole galleries are viewable at Samsung CL80 Gallery and Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.

For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Samsung CL80 comes with exterior measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sigma DP3 Merrill has sizing of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Check the Samsung CL80 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the CL80 and the DP3 Merrill.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the CL80 and DP3 Merrill is 95 and 83 respectively.

Often, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements purely by looking through specs. The graphic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the CL80 and DP3 Merrill.

All in all, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The CL80 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will result in more detail with its extra 1MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The older CL80 will be behind in sensor innovation.