• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Canon EOS M

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 4.30 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Less shutter lag
    0.49 vs 0.74 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Canon EOS M advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $799 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 230 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.0 vs 14.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.2 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    13 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.4 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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.

  • Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.

  • Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sony NEX-5N
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

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
Canon EOS M
Leica X2
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sony NEX-5R
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

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
Canon EOS M
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Internal flash

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Fujifilm X70
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Canon EOS M
Fujifilm X70
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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