Samsung SL30 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Here is a complete overview of the Samsung SL30 and Sigma DP1 Merrill, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Samsung and Sigma. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the SL30 (10MP) and DP1 Merrill (15MP) and the SL30 (1/2.3") and DP1 Merrill (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The SL30 was announced 4 years before the DP1 Merrill and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Samsung SL30 being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SL30 grades vs the DP1 Merrill when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Samsung SL30 and Sigma DP1 Merrill. The whole galleries are viewable at Samsung SL30 Gallery and Sigma DP1 Merrill Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Samsung SL30 provides physical dimensions of 94mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sigma DP1 Merrill has dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") along with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung SL30 and Sigma DP1 Merrill in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SL30 and the DP1 Merrill.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SL30 and DP1 Merrill is 95 and 82 respectively.

Quite often, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through specs. The photograph below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL30 and DP1 Merrill.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SL30 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sigma DP1 Merrill will provide you with more detail with its extra 5MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively. The older SL30 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.