Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W290

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.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

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.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The full galleries are provided at Sigma DP2 Merrill Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.