• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 75.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sigma DP3 Merrill advantages over Panasonic GF7

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Panasonic GF7 advantages over Sigma DP3 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 230 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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
    11.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 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.

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality for its size; Fast AF for its class; 10fps burst mode with electronic shutter; Lightweight, yet well-built, compact design; Great value for the money.

  • Continuous AF is not reliable; Shallow buffer with RAW; Below average battery life; No EVF; Maximum mechanical shutter speed of only 1/500s.

  • Read our Panasonic GF7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GF5
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GF5
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Olympus E-PL6
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic GF7
Olympus E-PL6
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Olympus E-PL6

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GM1
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GM1
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $479
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GM1

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GM5
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GM5
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GX850
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GX850
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GX850

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