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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230

Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230 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
  • Announced February 2012
  • Renewed by Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony W230, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and W230 (12MP) and the DP1 Merrill (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") provide different sensor measurements.

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The DP1 Merrill was revealed 3 years after the W230 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the DP1 Merrill scores versus the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony W230

 DP1 Merrill W230 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012February 2009Newer by 37 months
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 W230 DP1 Merrill 
Display size3""Larger display (+3")

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony W230

 DP1 Merrill W230 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Sigma DP1 Merrill offers outside dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check out the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony W230 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the DP1 Merrill versus the W230.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the DP1 Merrill and W230 is 82 and 95 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by seeing specifications. The pic below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the DP1 Merrill and W230.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The DP1 Merrill using its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Sigma DP1 Merrill will produce more detail because of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The younger DP1 Merrill should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography information
Sony W230 Portrait photography information
73
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Street photography advice
Sony W230 Street photography advice
64
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Sports photography factors
Sony W230 Sports photography factors
48
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Travel photography information
Sony W230 Travel photography information
54
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
50
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen ( inch)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
36
you can focus manually
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging features
Sony W230 Vlogging features
22
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone support
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony W230
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-02-08 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 surface area 384.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4704 x 3136 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size - 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed - 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330 gr (0.73 pounds) 156 gr (0.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $1,250 $180