Clicky

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35
Samsung ST6500 front
 
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Key Specs

Samsung ST6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 102 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 50mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Newer Model is Sigma DP3 Merrill
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Samsung ST6500 and Sigma DP2 Merrill, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sigma. The resolution of the ST6500 (16MP) and the DP2 Merrill (15MP) is very similar but the ST6500 (1/2.3") and DP2 Merrill (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The ST6500 was announced 12 months earlier than the DP2 Merrill so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung ST6500 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the ST6500 scores against the DP2 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung ST6500 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 ST6500 DP2 Merrill 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Samsung ST6500

 DP2 Merrill ST6500 
LaunchedFebruary 2012January 2011More modern by 12 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Samsung ST6500 and Sigma DP2 Merrill

 ST6500 DP2 Merrill 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Samsung ST6500 enjoys outside dimensions of 102mm x 57mm x 19mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP2 Merrill has proportions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Look at the Samsung ST6500 and Sigma DP2 Merrill in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the ST6500 and the DP2 Merrill.

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ST6500 and DP2 Merrill is 99 and 83 respectively.

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ST6500 and DP2 Merrill.

As you can see, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ST6500 with its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Samsung ST6500 will offer more detail with its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged ST6500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill sensor size comparison

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST6500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
30
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
73
focusing manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Samsung ST6500 as a Street photography camera
Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Street photography camera
50
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
65
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Samsung ST6500 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
29
decent megapixels (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Samsung ST6500 as a Travel photography camera
Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
74
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
very good max aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
54
MP count good (15 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST6500 Landscape photography info
Sigma DP2 Merrill Landscape photography info
43
pretty wide (26mm)
very good max aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
55
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST6500 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
32
pretty wide (26mm)
very good max aperture (f)
built-in touchscreen
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic port
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Samsung ST6500 vs Sigma DP2 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST6500 and Sigma DP2 Merrill
 Samsung ST6500Sigma DP2 Merrill
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sigma
Model Samsung ST6500 Sigma DP2 Merrill
Type Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-19 2012-02-08
Body design Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 16 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4704 x 3136
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 50mm (1x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs -
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 640x480
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 330g (0.73 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 57 x 19mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.7") 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
Time lapse recording
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release - $931