Samsung WB700 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Following is a in depth comparison of the Samsung WB700 and Sigma DP3 Merrill, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Samsung and Sigma. The resolution of the WB700 (14MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is pretty close but the WB700 (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The WB700 was launched 24 months before the DP3 Merrill which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung WB700 being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the WB700 grades vs the DP3 Merrill in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung WB700 and Sigma DP3 Merrill. The complete galleries are available at Samsung WB700 Gallery and Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Samsung WB700 has got external dimensions of 100mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP3 Merrill has dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung WB700 and Sigma DP3 Merrill in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the WB700 versus the DP3 Merrill.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the WB700 and DP3 Merrill is 98 and 83 respectively.

In many cases, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The image here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the WB700 and DP3 Merrill.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The WB700 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will render more detail utilizing its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged WB700 will be behind in sensor innovation.