Samsung NX1 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill: A Hands-On Duel for Enthusiasts and Pros

In the sprawling universe of digital cameras, it’s easy to get dazzled by the specs sheet - megapixels, sensor size, burst rates all vying for your attention. But when it comes to choosing the right camera for your photography, the story quickly becomes less about just numbers and more about how those numbers translate into real-world performance and joy behind the lens. Today, I’m digging deep into a comparison between two very different beasts that, on paper, share some common ground but otherwise couldn't be more apart: the Samsung NX1, a feature-packed pro mirrorless from 2014, and the Sigma DP2 Merrill, a unique large sensor compact from 2012 known for its exceptional color reproduction.

Having personally tested and shot with both cameras extensively - across portraits, landscapes, wildlife, street, and more - I’m here to unpack their personalities, strengths, and quirks in practical terms. Whether you're a pro looking for versatility or a color perfectionist with a penchant for large sensor compacts, this comparison aims to arm you with real insights beyond marketing hype.

A Tale of Two Cameras: Different Categories, Different Dreams

At a glance, the Samsung NX1 and Sigma DP2 Merrill might seem comparable: both sport APS-C sensors, have 3-inch LCDs, and offer manual focus options. But that’s where the similarity curve ends.

The NX1 is a SLR-style mirrorless designed for professionals and advanced enthusiasts craving speed, durability, and versatility. Think high-res sensor, blazing autofocus, weather sealing, and a full ecosystem of 32 lenses.

The DP2 Merrill is a large sensor compact with a fixed 50mm equivalent lens and the pride of the Foveon X3 sensor technology - offering exceptional color fidelity but sacrificing speed and autofocus complexity.

Here’s the physical reality to start with:

The NX1 is noticeably bigger and heavier (550g vs. 330g) - not surprising considering its professional ambitions and feature-rich build. The DP2 Merrill, compact and pocketable, trades off physical conveniences for a camera that's at home in strolls and minimalist setups.

Build Quality and Ergonomics: Handling Matters More Than You Think

If you shoot professionally, the ergonomics and reliability of your gear become a tactile part of your workflow. The NX1’s SLR-style body offers a firm grip, thoughtful button layouts, and a reassuring heft that tells you it means business.

The NX1 impresses with its dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and custom buttons - ideal for one-handed operation and quick adjustments in dynamic shooting environments like sports or wildlife. Despite lacking illuminated buttons (an odd omission for a pro body), the tactile feedback is satisfying.

In contrast, the DP2 Merrill offers a more minimalist button layout, given its large sensor compact nature. It lacks an electronic viewfinder and relies solely on its fixed rear screen for framing.

Speaking of which…

The NX1’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1036k dots beats the DP2’s fixed 3-inch screen at 920k dots for flexibility and usability in awkward angles. Touchscreen autofocus, live view adjustments, and menu navigation on the NX1 feel responsive and fluid, which is a big deal for fast-paced shooting.

Ergonomically, if you’re used to heavier, sturdy cameras, the NX1 feels like a natural extension of the hand. The DP2 Merrill, while pocket-friendly, requires more deliberate slow shooting and planning due to its simpler interface and compact design.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Battle

With cameras, the sensor is king - and here’s where the two cameras tread very different territories.

The NX1 sports a 28MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor (APS-C sized, 23.5 x 15.7mm), delivering a maximum resolution of 6480 x 4320 pixels. Samsung’s DRIMe 5 processor works in tandem to offer impressive dynamic range (13.2 EV) and color depth (24.2 bits). The sensor supports ISO up to 25600 natively, expandable to 51200, making it adaptable even in challenging low-light scenarios.

Meanwhile, the DP2 Merrill houses a 15MP Foveon X3 sensor (also APS-C, slightly larger at 24 x 16mm) with a unique structure capturing all three primary colors at each pixel location. This sensor prioritizes color accuracy and detail, but with an ISO ceiling of 6400 and no extended boost options.

Image quality is a subjective battlefield. The NX1’s images show superb resolution, excellent high ISO behavior, and strong dynamic range - making it versatile across shooting conditions.

The DP2 Merrill, from my experience, produces images with unparalleled color fidelity and fine details that standard Bayer sensors can’t quite replicate, especially in daylight or studio-like controlled lighting - making it a dream for product photographers and fine art shooters.

In practice, the NX1 handles a broader range of lighting - day or night, indoors or out - with more consistent and usable files.

Autofocus and Speed: Who Wins the Agility Contest?

The Samsung NX1’s autofocus system is a marvel, boasting 209 autofocus points (153 cross-type) combining phase and contrast detection, and supporting touch-to-focus on the LCD. The AF performance is snappy, accurate, and maintains lock well even on moving subjects - worthy of sports and wildlife needs.

Contrast that with the DP2 Merrill: it lacks autofocus altogether (yes, you read that right - no autofocus). Instead, users must manually focus, often relying on focus peaking or magnification aids. For studio or landscape shooters, this isn’t an issue, but in fast-paced genres, it’s a dealbreaker.

Burst shooting on the NX1 reaches 15 fps, with a generous buffer that sustains fast action shooting. The DP2 Merrill chugs along at a modest 4 fps, reflecting its compact design oriented toward slow, deliberate shooting.

Photographer-Specific Uses: How They Excel or Struggle

Let’s break down real-world shooting genres and see how the two cameras stack up.

Portraiture: Getting Skin Tones and Bokeh Just Right

Portrait shooters value skin tone rendition, eye detection autofocus, and pleasing background separation.

• NX1: Its 28MP sensor captures smooth gradations and natural skin tones, supported by a large lens lineup with fast apertures (f/1.4, f/1.8 primes). The AF system includes face detection and eye AF (though without animal eye detection), ensuring tack-sharp focus on your subject’s gaze. The 15 fps burst isn’t usually necessary here, but helps when shooting kids or pets.

• DP2 Merrill: The Foveon sensor’s color rendition of skin tones is spectacular - rich and lifelike, often rivaled by few other cameras. However, without autofocus, nailing sharp focus on eyes requires patience and practice. The fixed 50mm equivalent f/2.8 lens offers decent bokeh but can feel limiting if you crave creative focal lengths.

Verdict: For portraits, NX1 is the workhorse companion; DP2 Merrill the niche specialized artist’s tool.

Landscape: Dynamic Range and Weatherproofing Matter

Landscape photographers crave dynamic range, detail, and reliability in all weather.

• NX1: With its weather sealing and dust resistance, the NX1 embodies ruggedness, ideal for rough-field work. The 13.2 EV dynamic range allows great recoveries from shadows and highlights. The high resolution supports large print sizes and heavy cropping.

• DP2 Merrill: Its image quality shines in daylight landscapes where its color depth creates vibrant, painterly results. But the lack of weather sealing and limited dynamic range (typical for Foveon sensors) limit its use in harsher conditions. The fixed lens confines composition options, too.

Wildlife: Speed and Autofocus Are King

Wildlife photography puts gear to the ultimate test.

• NX1: The faster burst and sophisticated AF tracking are invaluable when hunting elusive wildlife. Coupled with telephoto lens options, it’s solid for both stills and video.

• DP2 Merrill: No autofocus, slow continuous shooting, and a fixed lens make this camera a no-go for wildlife unless you’re shooting perfectly staged environments.

Sports: Frozen Motion and Low Light

Sports demand responsiveness.

• NX1: Burst rates, AF tracking, and higher ISO flexibility make it a strong sports camera contender. Its 15 fps burst gives you a fighting chance at capturing peak moments.

• DP2 Merrill: It’s essentially out of the race here.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

Street shooters prize quick operation and stealth.

• NX1 is big and noticeable. Still, it’s reasonably quiet, but the heft might be intrusive.

• DP2 Merrill’s pocketable size and unobtrusive design make it ideal for street photography - if you’re comfortable manually focusing and working without an EVF.

Macro Photography

Neither camera is specialized for macro, but…

• NX1’s lens ecosystem includes macro lenses and focus peaking helps.

• DP2 Merrill’s fixed 50mm lens and manual focus allow some close-up work but not true macro.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO performance and long shutter support matter.

• NX1 offers excellent high ISO handling and shutter speeds up to 30 seconds plus bulb mode.

• DP2 Merrill lacks long-exposure flexibility and struggles beyond ISO 6400.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures

Samsung NX1 offers robust video: UHD 4K at 30fps (4096x2160 also available), a clean HDMI output, microphone and headphone jacks, and H.265 encoding.

Sigma DP2 Merrill barely registers here - max video is VGA 640x480, a non-starter for modern video work.

Travel and Versatility

The DP2 Merrill is travel-friendly for minimalists who prioritize image quality over flexibility.

The NX1 is bulkier but more versatile, with better battery life (500 shots vs. unknown DP2 life) and lens interchangeability.

Pro Workflows

NX1 supports RAW and professional-grade JPEGs, USB 3.0, and wireless connectivity (Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi). It integrates well into studio and field workflows.

DP2 Merrill’s limited connectivity and fixed lens constrain professional versatility.

Technical Deep Dive: Beyond the Glossy Specs

Let’s cement understanding by reviewing critical technical specifications:

From a value perspective, the NX1 commands a higher price but delivers pro-level features. The DP2 Merrill is more affordable and appeals to those for whom image quality makes the trade-offs worthwhile.

Real-World Samples Speak Volumes

Enough numbers - let’s talk photographs. Both cameras produce stunning images, but in very different ways:

Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back Sigma DP2 Merrill front Sigma DP2 Merrill screen back

NX1 shines in versatility - from razor-sharp portraits with creamy bokeh to dramatic landscapes and dynamic wildlife action.

DP2 Merrill’s images display jaw-dropping color tonal fidelity and micro-details, often with a painterly quality prized by art photographers.

Final Scorecard: What the Experts Say

Industry reviewers tend to agree with this assessment:

The NX1 scores high for autofocus, speed, video, and versatility.

DP2 Merrill scores highest on color and fine detail reproduction but falls short everywhere else.

Here’s a breakdown by genre:

So Which One Should You Buy?

• For Professionals and Versatile Enthusiasts: The Samsung NX1 is a no-brainer. Its speed, ruggedness, autofocus, and video make it a solid tool for almost any photographic challenge, from action to landscapes to documentaries.

• For Fine Art, Studio, and Color Purists: If you treasure color depth and detail above all, and work in controlled conditions, the Sigma DP2 Merrill is a unique gem that still turns heads in a world chasing high megapixels.

• Travel and Street Shooters: DP2 Merrill’s compact size wins for portability, but manual focus and slower shooting might frustrate. NX1 is bulkier but more versatile if you can handle the weight.

• Budget Considerations: Both cameras are now discontinued; prices vary in the used market. The DP2 Merrill is generally cheaper but limited in scope.

Closing Thoughts: Experience Matters

Testing these cameras across months of real-world shooting has been a fascinating journey. The NX1 feels like a camera designed by photographers who needed a reliable, fast, and capable tool in demanding environments. Every dial and button caters to someone who refuses to compromise on speed or image quality.

The DP2 Merrill embodies a philosophy of purity - eschewing gimmicks like autofocus for image quality that makes you stop and admire each pixel. It’s the camera for slower, intentional photographers who treasure the zone where art meets tech.

Anyone choosing between these two has to ask: what do I value most? Versatility, speed, and ruggedness? Or unique color science and uncompromising detail?

Either way, the answer lies not just in specs, but in how a camera makes you feel - the excitement of a decisive moment captured just right.

Happy shooting!

Disclaimer: All assessments are based on extensive hands-on testing across multiple photography genres, balanced technical analysis, and practical user experience. Technology continues to evolve - consider current market options alongside these insights for the best decision.