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Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
87
Imaging
43
Features
30
Overall
37
Sigma DP1 front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Key Specs

Sigma DP1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 800
  • No Video
  • 28mm (F) lens
  • 270g - 113 x 60 x 50mm
  • Revealed May 2008
  • New Model is Sigma DP1s
Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Superseded the Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Sigma DP1 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill, both Large Sensor Compact cameras and they are both offered by Sigma. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the DP1 (5MP) and DP3 Merrill (15MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The DP1 was unveiled 5 years before the DP3 Merrill which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a concise view of how the DP1 grades vs the DP3 Merrill when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 DP1 DP3 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sigma DP1

 DP3 Merrill DP1 
IntroducedJanuary 2013May 2008More modern by 56 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sigma DP1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 DP1 DP3 Merrill 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Sigma DP1 offers physical dimensions of 113mm x 60mm x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP3 Merrill has proportions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Look at the Sigma DP1 versus Sigma DP3 Merrill in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the DP1 versus the DP3 Merrill.

Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the DP1 and DP3 Merrill is 87 and 83 respectively.

Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing specs. The pic here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the DP1 and DP3 Merrill.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Sigma DP3 Merrill to show extra detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged DP1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Portrait photography info
Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography info
55
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP1
Street photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
64
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (270g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
low max ISO (800)
65
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
31
good sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (5MP)
doesn't have phase detect AF
44
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
can't change focal length (75mm)
low fps (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 as a Travel photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competitors in class (270g)
has built in flash
fast maximum aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
54
good resolution (15MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Landscape photography information
Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography information
44
you can focus manually
fast maximum aperture (f)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
low max ISO (800)
lack of Time Lapse function
55
you can focus manually
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (75mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma DP1
Vlogging with Sigma DP3 Merrill
9
no video
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
Photography Glossary

Sigma DP1 vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Sigma DP1Sigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Brand Sigma Sigma
Model type Sigma DP1 Sigma DP3 Merrill
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2008-05-19 2013-01-08
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 20.7 x 13.8mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 285.7mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 2640 x 1760 4704 x 3136
Maximum native ISO 800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) 75mm (1x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs -
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed - 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 640 x 480
Maximum video resolution None 640x480
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 270 grams (0.60 lbs) 330 grams (0.73 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 60 x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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 (10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC card -
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $566 $1,353