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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290 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
  • Older Model is Sigma DP2 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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony W290, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and W290 (12MP) and the DP3 Merrill (APS-C) and W290 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The DP3 Merrill was revealed 3 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the DP3 Merrill matches up versus the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony W290

 DP3 Merrill W290 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2009More recent by 48 months
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 W290 DP3 Merrill 

Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W290

 DP3 Merrill W290 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Sigma DP3 Merrill comes with exterior dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) while the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony W290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the DP3 Merrill versus the W290.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the DP3 Merrill and W290 is 83 and 94 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements merely by checking out technical specs. The photograph below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the DP3 Merrill and W290.

As you have seen, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The DP3 Merrill with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will show greater detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more recent DP3 Merrill is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography details
Sony W290 Portrait photography details
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Street photography with Sony W290
65
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
45
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
can't change focal length (75mm)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography advice
Sony W290 Travel photography advice
54
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
Sony W290 Landscape photography highlights
56
has manual focus
decent sized screen (3")
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (75mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
41
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging highlights
Sony W290 Vlogging highlights
22
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone port
28
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W290
 Sigma DP3 MerrillSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP3 Merrill Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-01-08 2009-02-17
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 384.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4704 x 3136 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 75mm (1x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed - 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330 gr (0.73 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
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 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
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $1,353 $230