Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony W800

In this article, we will be matching up the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W800, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and W800 (20MP) and the DP3 Merrill (APS-C) and W800 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The DP3 Merrill was launched 13 months prior to the W800 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W800 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the DP3 Merrill scores against the W800 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Sigma DP3 Merrill & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800. The complete galleries are available at Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery & Sony W800 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Sigma DP3 Merrill has exterior dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Sony W800 has sizing of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony W800 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the DP3 Merrill and the W800.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the DP3 Merrill and W800 is 83 and 96 respectively.

Typically, it's tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP3 Merrill and W800.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The DP3 Merrill because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony W800 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 5MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged DP3 Merrill will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.