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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 50mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Older Model is Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Refreshed by Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230 Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Sigma DP2 Merrill versus Sony W230, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and W230 (12MP) and the DP2 Merrill (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.

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The DP2 Merrill was launched 3 years after the W230 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the DP2 Merrill grades versus the W230 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony W230

 DP2 Merrill W230 
ReleasedFebruary 2012February 2009More modern by 37 months
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 W230 DP2 Merrill 

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony W230

 DP2 Merrill W230 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Sigma DP2 Merrill offers physical measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 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).

Analyze the Sigma DP2 Merrill versus Sony W230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the DP2 Merrill compared to the W230.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the DP2 Merrill and W230 is 83 and 95 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes just by reading a spec sheet. The pic below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the DP2 Merrill and W230.

As you can see, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The DP2 Merrill because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger DP2 Merrill provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
73
manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Sports photography factors
Sony W230 Sports photography factors
44
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography highlights
Sony W230 Travel photography highlights
54
resolution is good (15MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
screen size is good (3")
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
36
you can focus manually
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Vlogging with Sony W230
22
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony W230
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-02-08 2009-02-17
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4704 x 3136 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 50mm (1x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 1s
Fastest shutter speed - 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640x480 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file 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 grams (0.73 lbs) 156 grams (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 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 shooting
Storage type - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $931 $180