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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 50mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Successor is Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact by rivals Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and the W550 (14MP) is very close but the DP2 Merrill (APS-C) and W550 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The DP2 Merrill was manufactured 7 months later than the W550 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the DP2 Merrill scores vs the W550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony W550

 DP2 Merrill W550 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012July 2011Fresher by 7 months
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 W550 DP2 Merrill 

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony W550

 DP2 Merrill W550 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP2 Merrill has got outer dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Contrast the Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the DP2 Merrill vs the W550.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the DP2 Merrill and W550 is 83 and 96 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP2 Merrill and W550.

As you can see, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The DP2 Merrill due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will render more detail due to its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern DP2 Merrill provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Portrait photography highlights
Sony W550 Portrait photography highlights
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Sports photography advice
Sony W550 Sports photography advice
44
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
can't change focal length (50mm)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography factors
Sony W550 Travel photography factors
54
megapixel count good (15MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W550 as a Landscape photography camera
55
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (50mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
pretty wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
Sony W550 as a Vlogging camera
22
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
29
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony W550
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Large Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2012-02-08 2011-07-24
Body design Large Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TRUE II engine BIONZ
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 15 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4704 x 3136 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 50mm (1x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed - 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.80 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640x480 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone 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 330g (0.73 pounds) 110g (0.24 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 ID - NP-BN1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single -
Launch price $931 $119