• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Panasonic TS5

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Faster shutter
    1/2000 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic TS5 advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $799 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    128 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    213g vs 391g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.49 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Advanced Wi-Fi and Near-Field Communications for easy image sharing and even remote shooting (a first for a waterproof compact); Improved ruggedness; Manual exposure mode; Fast cycle times; 10fps continuous burst shooting at full resolution; Full 1080p HD video at up to 60p; Excellent battery life.

  • Mediocre still image quality; Slow startup; Slower-than-average autofocus; Choppy MP4 (most Web-friendly format) video quality.

The Competition

Compared to 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
Panasonic TS5
Leica X2
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Olympus TG-850
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-850
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to 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
Panasonic TS5
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic TS6

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Panasonic TS6
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS6
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Fujifilm X70
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic TS5
Fujifilm X70
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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