Samsung TL500 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Below, we will be comparing the Samsung TL500 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Samsung and Sigma. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the TL500 (10MP) and DP1 Merrill (15MP) and the TL500 (1/1.7") and DP1 Merrill (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The TL500 was manufactured 19 months earlier than the DP1 Merrill which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Samsung TL500 being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the TL500 matches up vs the DP1 Merrill with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung TL500 & Sigma DP1 Merrill. The entire galleries are viewable at Samsung TL500 Gallery & Sigma DP1 Merrill Gallery.

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Samsung TL500 provides exterior measurements of 114mm x 63mm x 29mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 386 grams (0.85 lbs) and 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).

Look at the Samsung TL500 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the TL500 and the DP1 Merrill.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the TL500 and DP1 Merrill is 88 and 82 respectively.

Oftentimes, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading specs. The image underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the TL500 and DP1 Merrill.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The TL500 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sigma DP1 Merrill will offer you more detail due to its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged TL500 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.