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Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
93
Imaging
51
Features
68
Overall
57
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched March 2014
Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Succeeded the Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Samsung NX mini and Sigma DP3 Merrill, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sigma. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and DP3 Merrill (15MP) and the NX mini (1") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The NX mini was launched 15 months later than the DP3 Merrill making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the NX mini matches up versus the DP3 Merrill with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 NX mini DP3 Merrill 
AnnouncedMarch 2014January 2013More recent by 15 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Samsung NX mini

 DP3 Merrill NX mini 
Display resolution920k461kClearer display (+459k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 NX mini DP3 Merrill 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and size. The Samsung NX mini enjoys external measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sigma DP3 Merrill has specifications of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

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Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the NX mini vs the DP3 Merrill.

Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the NX mini and DP3 Merrill is 93 and 83 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by researching specifications. The graphic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the NX mini and DP3 Merrill.

Plainly, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The NX mini due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Samsung NX mini will provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 5.5 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent NX mini will have an edge in sensor tech.

Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung NX mini
Portrait photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
70
you can focus manually
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
73
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung NX mini
Street photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
81
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
includes touch focus
lighter than others in class (196 grams)
does not have image stabilization
65
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography features
Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography features
54
great max shutter speed (1/16,000 seconds)
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
great battery life (650 CIPA)
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect AF
44
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (75mm)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography information
Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography information
75
great battery life (650 shots)
lighter than others in class (196g)
includes touch focus
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
54
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini Landscape photography highlights
Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
68
you can focus manually
change lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent MP (20.5MP)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
great battery life (650 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
55
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (75mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini Vlogging details
Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging details
37
touchscreen enabled
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone jack
lighter than others in class (196 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
22
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Samsung NX mini vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Samsung NX miniSigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Brand Samsung Sigma
Model Samsung NX mini Sigma DP3 Merrill
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-03-19 2013-01-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4704 x 3136
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 21 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX-M fixed lens
Lens focal range - 75mm (1x)
Max aperture - f/2.8
Number of lenses 2 -
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s -
Fastest shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash modes Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) 640 x 480
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 196g (0.43 lb) 330g (0.73 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery life 650 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model B740 -
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC -
Card slots One One
Price at release $530 $1,353