Samsung HZ30W vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

The following is a in depth review of the Samsung HZ30W vs Sigma DP3 Merrill, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the HZ30W (12MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is relatively similar but the HZ30W (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The HZ30W was brought out 4 years prior to the DP3 Merrill which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the HZ30W matches up against the DP3 Merrill when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung HZ30W and Sigma DP3 Merrill. The entire galleries are available at Samsung HZ30W Gallery and Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Samsung HZ30W comes with outer measurements of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst 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).

See the Samsung HZ30W vs Sigma DP3 Merrill in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the HZ30W vs the DP3 Merrill.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the HZ30W and DP3 Merrill is 91 and 83 respectively.

Usually, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The pic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the HZ30W and DP3 Merrill.

To sum up, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The HZ30W featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will offer you more detail having its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged HZ30W is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.