Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W690
82 Imaging
55 Features
30 Overall
45


95 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36
Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W690 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- " Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 640 x 480 video
- ()mm (F2.8) lens
- 330g - 122 x 67 x 64mm
- Released February 2012
- Renewed by Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
- Revealed February 2012

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W690 Overview
Below, we will be reviewing the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony W690, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and the W690 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the DP1 Merrill (APS-C) and W690 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

The DP1 Merrill was released very close to the W690 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W690 being a Compact camera.
Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the DP1 Merrill matches up versus the W690 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W690 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Sigma DP1 Merrill & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690. The complete galleries are available at Sigma DP1 Merrill Gallery & Sony W690 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony W690
DP1 Merrill | W690 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill
W690 | DP1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | " | Bigger screen (+3") |
Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony W690
DP1 Merrill | W690 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2012 | Same age |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Sigma DP1 Merrill has exterior dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony W690 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).
Look at the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony W690 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the DP1 Merrill against the W690.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the DP1 Merrill and W690 is 82 and 95 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by going through technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP1 Merrill and W690.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The DP1 Merrill due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony W690 will produce greater detail as a result of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony W690 Specifications
Sigma DP1 Merrill | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Sigma | Sony |
Model type | Sigma DP1 Merrill | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 |
Class | Large Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2012-02-08 | 2012-02-28 |
Body design | Large Sensor Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Dual TRUE II engine | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 24 x 16mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 384.0mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4704 x 3136 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | () | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 5cm |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | - | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 920 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | ClearPhoto TFT LCD display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | - | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | - | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 3.30 m |
Flash settings | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 330 grams (0.73 lb) | 142 grams (0.31 lb) |
Dimensions | 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") | 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | ||
Battery life | - | 220 photos |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-BN |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | - | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $1,250 | $297 |