Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Olympus PEN-F

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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Olympus PEN-F

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APS-C 369.0mm²
14.8 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sigma DP1 Merrill Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DP1 Merrill.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus PEN-F Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus PEN-F in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the PEN-F.
Compare Olympus PEN-F image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus PEN-F conclusion.

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Differences

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.00 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
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
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.80 vs 2.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

330 vs 97 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
37 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Newer
9 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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
0.14 vs 0.49 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.3 vs 14.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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
10.4 fps vs 3.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
43 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 3.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
39 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
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.
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

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
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

User reviews

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Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

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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

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

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

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Leica X2

Olympus PEN-F

Leica X2

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Leica X2

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

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

Olympus PEN-F

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1534
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Fujifilm X70

$849
APS-C

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Fujifilm X70

Olympus PEN-F

Fujifilm X70

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Fujifilm X70

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Panasonic GX85

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Olympus E-PL8

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$599
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

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