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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230 Key Specs

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
  • Replaced the Sigma DP2 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
  • Announced February 2009
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony W230, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and W230 (12MP) and the DP3 Merrill (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.

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The DP3 Merrill was launched 3 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the DP3 Merrill scores versus the W230 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony W230

 DP3 Merrill W230 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2009Fresher by 48 months
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 W230 DP3 Merrill 

Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W230

 DP3 Merrill W230 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP3 Merrill has outside measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) while the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony W230 in the all new 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 use at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the DP3 Merrill against the W230.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the DP3 Merrill and W230 is 83 and 95 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing specs. The photograph below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the DP3 Merrill and W230.

All in all, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The DP3 Merrill featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer DP3 Merrill should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography features
Sony W230 Portrait photography features
74
focusing manually
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Street photography with Sony W230
65
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography features
Sony W230 Sports photography features
45
decent megapixels (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
can't change focal length (75mm)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Travel photography with Sony W230
54
decent megapixels (15MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
56
focusing manually
screen size is decent (3")
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (75mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
37
manual focus
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging advice
Sony W230 Vlogging advice
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone support
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W230
 Sigma DP3 MerrillSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP3 Merrill Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-01-08 2009-02-17
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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
Maximum resolution 4704 x 3136 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 75mm (1x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range - 4cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed - 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
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 metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 grams (0.73 lb) 156 grams (0.34 lb)
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 All around 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 shooting
Type of storage - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $1,353 $180