• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

  • Lighter weight
    391g vs 950g
    Lighter weight
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.25 vs 5.00 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.49 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    22.3 vs 14.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    63 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.0 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    18 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark III

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.

  • Superb still and video image quality; Powerful, fast, and accurate AF system with loads of cross-type points, loads of configurability and great frame coverage; Rugged, weather-sealed body with great control layout and user-interface configurability.

  • Dynamic range is limited by noise in deep shadows; Somewhat heavy-handed noise suppression and sharpening at default settings. (Shooting RAW avoids both.); No AF illuminator.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Canon 6D
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 6D
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Lighter weight
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony A850

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sony A850
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A850
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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 5D Mark III
Leica X2
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A99

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sony A99
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A99
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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