Samsung ST90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Samsung ST90 versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sigma. The image resolution of the ST90 (14MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is pretty close but the ST90 (1/2.3") and SD1 Merrill (APS-C) posses different sensor size.

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The ST90 was brought out 14 months earlier than the SD1 Merrill which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung ST90 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the ST90 grades against the SD1 Merrill with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung ST90 and Sigma SD1 Merrill. The entire galleries are available at Samsung ST90 Gallery and Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery.

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Samsung ST90 has physical dimensions of 92mm x 53mm x 17mm (3.6" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD1 Merrill has proportions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

See the Samsung ST90 versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the ST90 compared to the SD1 Merrill.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ST90 and SD1 Merrill is 99 and 57 respectively.

Oftentimes, its hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing specs. The graphic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ST90 and SD1 Merrill.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ST90 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sigma SD1 Merrill will render more detail having its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older ST90 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.