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Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Key Specs

Samsung PL120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
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
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Old Model is Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • New Model is Sigma DP3 Merrill
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Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Overview

Let's look much closer at the Samsung PL120 and Sigma DP2 Merrill, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Samsung and Sigma. The image resolution of the PL120 (14MP) and the DP2 Merrill (15MP) is pretty similar but the PL120 (1/2.3") and DP2 Merrill (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The PL120 was introduced 13 months earlier than the DP2 Merrill which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the PL120 grades vs the DP2 Merrill in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 PL120 DP2 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Samsung PL120

 DP2 Merrill PL120 
RevealedFebruary 2012January 2011More modern by 13 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sigma DP2 Merrill

 PL120 DP2 Merrill 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Samsung PL120 has outer measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP2 Merrill has measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Compare the Samsung PL120 and Sigma DP2 Merrill in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the PL120 compared to the DP2 Merrill.

Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the PL120 and DP2 Merrill is 99 and 83 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The pic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the PL120 and DP2 Merrill.

As you can see, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The PL120 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will deliver extra detail using its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged PL120 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
73
focusing manually
good resolution (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL120
Street photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
49
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
65
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung PL120
Sports photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
26
decent megapixels (14MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
good resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
can't change focal length (50mm)
low frames per second (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 Travel photography highlights
Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography highlights
71
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
54
good resolution (15 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 Landscape photography factors
Sigma DP2 Merrill Landscape photography factors
33
good maximum aperture (f)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
55
focusing manually
screen is a good size (3")
good resolution (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (50mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 Vlogging factors
Sigma DP2 Merrill Vlogging factors
31
good maximum aperture (f)
does have external microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
22
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Samsung PL120 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sigma DP2 Merrill
 Samsung PL120Sigma DP2 Merrill
General Information
Brand Samsung Sigma
Model type Samsung PL120 Sigma DP2 Merrill
Class Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-05 2012-02-08
Body design Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4704 x 3136
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO - 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 50mm (1x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s -
Max shutter speed 1/2000s -
Continuous shutter speed - 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 640x480
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 330 grams (0.73 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Time lapse feature
Storage slots - Single
Retail pricing $150 $931