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Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Samsung SL720 front
 
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45

Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Key Specs

Samsung SL720
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-102mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 168g - 92 x 61 x 23mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Additionally Known as PL70
Sigma DP1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 64mm
  • Announced February 2012
  • Refreshed by Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sigma. The image resolution of the SL720 (12MP) and the DP1 Merrill (15MP) is fairly similar but the SL720 (1/2.3") and DP1 Merrill (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The SL720 was unveiled 3 years before the DP1 Merrill which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the SL720 matches up against the DP1 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 SL720 DP1 Merrill 
Display sizing2.7""Larger display (+2.7")

Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Samsung SL720

 DP1 Merrill SL720 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012July 2009More modern by 31 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Sigma DP1 Merrill

 SL720 DP1 Merrill 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Samsung SL720 offers outer measurements of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP1 Merrill has sizing of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SL720 and the DP1 Merrill.

Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SL720 and DP1 Merrill is 94 and 82 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The pic here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SL720 and DP1 Merrill.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SL720 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sigma DP1 Merrill will offer extra detail having an extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged SL720 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung SL720 Portrait photography details
Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung SL720 as a Street photography camera
Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Street photography camera
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than others in class (168g)
64
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung SL720
Sports photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
17
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
48
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (()mm)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung SL720 Travel photography highlights
Sigma DP1 Merrill Travel photography highlights
56
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (168g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung SL720 Landscape photography features
Sigma DP1 Merrill Landscape photography features
27
rather wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
50
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (")
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung SL720
Vlogging with Sigma DP1 Merrill
25
rather wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic jack
heavier than others in class (168g)
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic support
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Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL720 and Sigma DP1 Merrill
 Samsung SL720Sigma DP1 Merrill
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sigma
Model type Samsung SL720 Sigma DP1 Merrill
Also called PL70 -
Category Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Released 2009-07-14 2012-02-08
Physical type 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 6.08 x 4.56mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4704 x 3136
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) ()
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.8
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" -
Resolution of screen 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs -
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.60 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 640 x 480
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 168 gr (0.37 lb) 330 gr (0.73 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal -
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $119 $1,250