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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290 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
  • Launched February 2012
  • Superseded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Replacement is Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony W290, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Sigma and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and W290 (12MP) and the DP2 Merrill (APS-C) and W290 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The DP2 Merrill was revealed 3 years after the W290 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the DP2 Merrill scores against the W290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony W290

 DP2 Merrill W290 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012February 2009Newer by 37 months
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 W290 DP2 Merrill 

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony W290

 DP2 Merrill W290 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Sigma DP2 Merrill offers outside dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony W290 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 employing during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the DP2 Merrill against the W290.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the DP2 Merrill and W290 is 83 and 94 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking specifications. The pic below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the DP2 Merrill and W290.

To sum up, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The DP2 Merrill using its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will resolve more detail because of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern DP2 Merrill will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
44
good resolution (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
max fps low (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
54
good resolution (15 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony W290
55
you can focus manually
screen is a good size (3")
good resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
41
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Vlogging details
Sony W290 Vlogging details
22
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
28
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony W290
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 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 megapixels 12 megapixels
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
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 50mm (1x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max 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 size 3" 3"
Display resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed - 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640x480 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 grams (0.73 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" 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 feature
Type of storage - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $931 $230