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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950

Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950 Key Specs

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
  • Launched February 2012
  • Replacement is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony S950, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Sigma and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and S950 (10MP) and the DP1 Merrill (APS-C) and S950 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The DP1 Merrill was brought out 3 years after the S950 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the DP1 Merrill grades vs the S950 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony S950

 DP1 Merrill S950 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2009Newer by 37 months
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 S950 DP1 Merrill 
Screen size2.7""Bigger screen (+2.7")

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony S950

 DP1 Merrill S950 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sigma DP1 Merrill has exterior measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Sony S950 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony S950 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the DP1 Merrill versus the S950.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the DP1 Merrill and S950 is 82 and 94 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over specs. The image underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the DP1 Merrill and S950.

As you can plainly see, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The DP1 Merrill due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Sigma DP1 Merrill will offer you extra detail having its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The younger DP1 Merrill is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography highlights
Sony S950 Portrait photography highlights
73
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
26
manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony S950 as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Sports photography information
Sony S950 Sports photography information
48
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Travel photography highlights
Sony S950 Travel photography highlights
54
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
50
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (")
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
31
manual focus
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging information
Sony S950 Vlogging information
22
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic port
9
no video shooting
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony S950
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Type Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-08 2009-02-17
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TRUE II engine -
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4704 x 3136 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range () 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing - 2.7 inch
Display resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 2s
Fastest shutter speed - 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330g (0.73 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $1,250 $130