• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-5 advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 870 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Olympus E-5

  • Less expensive
    $799 vs $1700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Lighter weight
    391g vs 892g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    14.8 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sigma DP1 Merrill

Review Excerpt

  • Exceptionally detailed and uniquely beautiful image quality at low ISOs; Fast, sharp 28mm-equivalent lens; Simple, straightforward controls match camera's simple, straightforward (street photography) goals.

  • Fixed-focal-length lens; Image quality deteriorates significantly at ISO 800 and above; Overall sluggish performer; Falls short when capturing JPEGs; Terrible VGA-only video quality; Very poor battery life; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Sigma DP1 Merrill Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 50D

Olympus E-5
Canon 50D
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-5 vs Canon 50D

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Canon 50D
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Canon 50D

Compared to Olympus E30

Olympus E-5
Olympus E30
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E30

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Olympus E30
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Olympus E30

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Olympus E-5
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Top deck display
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-5 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Leica X2

Olympus E-5
Leica X2
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus E-5 vs Leica X2

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X2
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Leica X2

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Olympus E-5
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus E-5 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Compare Other Cameras?