Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W690
83 Imaging
56 Features
33 Overall
46


95 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36
Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W690 Key Specs
(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
- Previous Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
- Released February 2012

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W690 Overview
Below, we are matching up the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W690, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and the W690 (16MP) is very close but the DP3 Merrill (APS-C) and W690 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

The DP3 Merrill was unveiled 11 months later than the W690 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W690 being a Compact camera.
Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the DP3 Merrill scores against the W690 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W690 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690. The full galleries are viewable at Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery and Sony W690 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony W690
DP3 Merrill | W690 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2012 | More recent by 11 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill
W690 | DP3 Merrill |
---|
Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W690
DP3 Merrill | W690 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Sigma DP3 Merrill enjoys external measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Sony W690 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).
Look at the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W690 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the DP3 Merrill compared to the W690.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the DP3 Merrill and W690 is 83 and 95 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements merely by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the DP3 Merrill and W690.
As you can see, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The DP3 Merrill using its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Sony W690 will result in greater detail having an extra 1MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics much more aggressively. The newer DP3 Merrill is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W690 Specifications
Sigma DP3 Merrill | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Sigma | Sony |
Model | Sigma DP3 Merrill | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 |
Category | Large Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2013-01-08 | 2012-02-28 |
Body design | Large Sensor Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Dual TRUE II engine | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 24 x 16mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 384.0mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4704 x 3136 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 75mm (1x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 920k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | ClearPhoto TFT LCD display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | - | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | - | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 3.30 m |
Flash settings | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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 |
Mic 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 lbs) | 142 grams (0.31 lbs) |
Dimensions | 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") | 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 life | - | 220 images |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-BN |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | - | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $1,353 | $297 |