Sigma DP2 Merrill Pro Reviews

The Sigma DP2 Merrill features a fixed standard-angle lens and is capable of producing some amazing photos—but you'll have to work with Raw files to get the most out of it.

SIGMA's DP2 Merrill produces the finest still images I've seen in any compact digital camera I've had my hands on, thanks to an optically terrific lens and well off the beaten design path sensor combination. Unfortunately, this is not the compact digital for everyone and, in fact, most casual users and in particular those looking for their first digital compact should probably look elsewhere. For as nifty as this lens and sensor combination is, what's more telling for the average user is what was not put into the camera. There's no stabilization, practically a given in most compact digitals these days. Fully automatic and scene shooting modes that many first-time users depend on are nonexistent; the closest you can come is a program auto mode. 640 x 480 VGA resolution video and mono sound lag behind virtually every camera in the class including entry-level models costing hundreds of dollars less. ISO noise performance deteriorates rapidly beyond 800 ISO, leaving the DP2 a relatively narrow range from 100 to 800 for decent image quality. The $1000 price of admission for a DP2 would also cover just about any compact digital on the planet, as well as a number of entry-level DSLRs. You'll need a pocketful of batteries for all day shooting sessions. But for a modestly experienced shooter willing to ply their craft, the DP2 can pay handsome dividends in still image quality. Can't ratchet up the ISO in dim lighting conditions because of noise concerns? No problem - mount the camera on a tripod, shoot a long exposure and trip the shutter with the self-timer. Want to do a high dynamic range photo of a dim church interior? Set up a couple of three-shot bracketed exposures and let your HDR software do the rest. Clearly this is not the camera for most average shooters, but it is a magnificent still imaging tool when operated in a fashion that plays to its strengths.

The Sigma DP2 Merrill is a slow, cumbersome, rather unrefined and expensive compact camera that's really only suited to static or slow-moving subjects. Despite all those major misgivings, the images that it produces thanks to the combination of the 30mm fixed lens and the intriguing Foveon X3 sensor are simply outstanding, by far the best images that we've seen from a humble compact camera and even rivaling a DSLR with an equivalent prime lens. The DP2 Merrill may not be the most lovable camera around, but it certainly takes great pictures. Image quality is the DP2 Merrill's star turn, indeed the principal reason to put up with its numerous other shortcomings. The Foveon X3 sensor, be it 46 megapixel or 15 megapixels, and the prime 30mm lens deliver stunningly sharp, high-resolution images that are a joy to behold. Chromatic aberrations like purple and green-fringing are simply non-existent on the DP2 Merrill, testament to the excellent prime lens, which is also the reason for the almost complete lack of pincushion or barrel distortion, and the fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 is very welcome.