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Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Key Specs

Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as WB550
Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 50mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Superseded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Successor is Sigma DP3 Merrill
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Samsung and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the HZ15W (12MP) and the DP2 Merrill (15MP) is relatively similar but the HZ15W (1/2.3") and DP2 Merrill (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The HZ15W was introduced 3 years earlier than the DP2 Merrill which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the HZ15W scores against the DP2 Merrill with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 HZ15W DP2 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Samsung HZ15W

 DP2 Merrill HZ15W 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2009Newer by 36 months
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sigma DP2 Merrill

 HZ15W DP2 Merrill 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Samsung HZ15W has got outer dimensions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP2 Merrill has measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Look at the Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the HZ15W and the DP2 Merrill.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HZ15W and DP2 Merrill is 90 and 83 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ15W and DP2 Merrill.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The HZ15W with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will offer you extra detail using its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged HZ15W is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography highlights
Sigma DP2 Merrill Portrait photography highlights
31
manual focus
includes face detection autofocus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Street photography camera
52
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than competition (249 grams)
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Sports photography features
Sigma DP2 Merrill Sports photography features
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Travel photography details
Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography details
54
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (249g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
40
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
55
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Vlogging factors
Sigma DP2 Merrill Vlogging factors
28
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
more heavy than competition (249g)
22
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sigma DP2 Merrill
 Samsung HZ15WSigma DP2 Merrill
General Information
Brand Samsung Sigma
Model Samsung HZ15W Sigma DP2 Merrill
Also referred to as WB550 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-23 2012-02-08
Physical type 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 dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4704 x 3136
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) 50mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/2.8
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 secs -
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate - 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.70 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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 (60, 30, 15 fps) 640x480
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249 grams (0.55 lbs) 330 grams (0.73 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal -
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $330 $931