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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Replaced the Sigma DP2 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 DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550 Overview

Following is a complete comparison of the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W550, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact by rivals Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and the W550 (14MP) is fairly similar but the DP3 Merrill (APS-C) and W550 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

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The DP3 Merrill was manufactured 18 months after the W550 making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the DP3 Merrill matches up versus the W550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony W550

 DP3 Merrill W550 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013July 2011More modern by 18 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 W550 DP3 Merrill 

Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W550

 DP3 Merrill W550 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP3 Merrill features exterior dimensions 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 W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

See the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W550 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the DP3 Merrill and the W550.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the DP3 Merrill and W550 is 83 and 96 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes simply by going over specs. The pic below will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP3 Merrill and W550.

All in all, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The DP3 Merrill because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will deliver extra detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The fresher DP3 Merrill should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography features
Sony W550 Portrait photography features
73
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Street photography advice
Sony W550 Street photography advice
65
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography details
Sony W550 Sports photography details
44
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
can't change focal length (75mm)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography details
Sony W550 Travel photography details
54
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony W550
55
you can focus manually
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (75mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging details
Sony W550 Vlogging details
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic socket
29
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W550
 Sigma DP3 MerrillSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP3 Merrill Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Large Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2013-01-08 2011-07-24
Body design Large Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 surface area 384.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4704 x 3136 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 75mm (1x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 2s
Fastest shutter speed - 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.80 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 grams (0.73 pounds) 110 grams (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 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
Battery model - NP-BN1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 -
Cost at release $1,353 $119