Shootout: Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Canon 5D Mark III
2012-11-03 • SEND FEEDBACK | 
Related: Bayer matrix color filter array, Canon, Canon 5D Mark III, Canon DSLR, digital sensor, Populus tremuloides, Sequoiadendron sempervirens, Sigma, Sigma APS_C, Sigma DP2 Merrill, Sigma mirrorless, Sigma true-color, true-color sensor or image
Related: Bayer matrix color filter array, Canon, Canon 5D Mark III, Canon DSLR, digital sensor, Populus tremuloides, Sequoiadendron sempervirens, Sigma, Sigma APS_C, Sigma DP2 Merrill, Sigma mirrorless, Sigma true-color, true-color sensor or image
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Quite a few readers have written to say they are looking for a high quality compact camera to replace or supplement a DSLR. The Sigma DP1/DP2 Merrill is one camera that produces very high per-pixel quality.
Previously published in Guide to Mirrorless was a Nikon D600 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill comparison, along with a color comparison.
Now added is a Canon 5D Mark III vs Sigma DP2 Merrill comparison.
I show one very large actual (native) pixels crop from each, along with the entire frame along with a variety of resampled-to-match crops so that the two cameras can go head to head.
| Sigma DP1 Merrill / DP2 Merrill | Canon 5D Mark III | Nikon D600 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lens: | 19mm f/2.8 (28mm equivalent) 30mm f/2.8 (45mm equivalent) |
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II | Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon (for this test) |
| Sensor type | Foveon true-color 14.25 X 3 megasensels* (effective) | Conventional 22.3 megasensel Bayer-pattern sensor requiring demosaicing: 1/2 green, 1/4 red, 1/4 blue photosites | Conventional 24.16 megasensel Bayer-pattern sensor requiring demosaicing: 1/2 green, 1/4 red, 1/4 blue photosites |
| Sensor size: | APS-C = 23.5×15.7 mm | Full-frame = 36.0 X 24.0mm | Full-frame = 35.9 X 24.0mm |
| Finished image size | 4704 X 3136 = 14.75 megapixels 88.6 MB 16-bit RGB TIF |
5760 X 3840 = 22.1 megapixels = 22% higher spatial resolution 132.7 MB 16-bit RGB TIF |
6016 X 4106 = 24.16 megapixels = 28% higher spatial resolution 145.1 MB 16-bit RGB TIF |
| RAW size (for this test): | 62.5MB (X3F lossless compressed, bit depth unclear) |
39.9 MB Canon CR2 RAW |
37.8 MB (14-bit lossless compressed NEF) |
Redwoods and stone bridge
Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Canon 5D Mark III
Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Canon 5D Mark III
Fall Color, Cottonwood Canyon
Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Nikon D600
Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Nikon D600
