Sigma DP2 Merrill Review at The Luminous Landscape

Amin

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I've always enjoyed Michael Reichmann's small camera reviews and enjoyed this one more than most. The major review sites will never recommend a camera like the DP2 Merrill because they rate cameras according to how well they will suit the average consumer. For example, the Sigma DP1 and Ricoh GRD - two of the most innovative compacts ever created - both got the "Above Average" rating from DPReview, which is pretty much the lowest rating given by that site at the time.

Potentially offensive language notwithstanding, I particularly liked M.R.'s discussion at the end about camera pu****s and camera heroes. There is an awful amount of belly aching about great cameras these days, whether we're talking about Nikon D800 autofocus, Fuji X10 orbs, or the Olympus E-M5 hum. By comparison, reports about what a given camera can do particularly well are less common.

Link: Sigma DP2 Merrill Review - Medium Format Image Quality In a Pocket Sized Camera? via 1001 Noisy Cameras
 
Thanks for the link. That was a very interesting review and certainly gives you a proper camera user's view on what the DP2M is like to actually use. If ultimate IQ is what is most important then this camera certainly hits the spot right between the eyes but one has to put up with it's 'problems'! You have to break eggs to make an omelette as they say!! If one can't afford a full frame DSLR or want the bulk (as they can be huge!) this has got to be the closest way of getting that high res shot that only FF seems to manage.
 
I liked the style of this review immensely. The camera (and the description of its qualities in the review) appeals to every bone of eccentricity (there are many) in my body; it personifies wabi sabi: no frills just quality and the instrument demands dedication and perseverance from the craftsman. If necessary, now both the GF1/20 and Nex 5N will go.
 
I liked the style of this review immensely. The camera (and the description of its qualities in the review) appeals to every bone of eccentricity (there are many) in my body; it personifies wabi sabi: no frills just quality and the instrument demands dedication and perseverance from the craftsman. If necessary, now both the GF1/20 and Nex 5N will go.

You are right. It is a no frills dedicated camera for taking excellent images, something many people have been asking for for ages. It's made for 1 job and 1 job only which it does extremely well.

I wonder how much I can get one from work????:rolleyes:
 
Question: Where would this camera benefit? I only put images up on the net at 1920pix 300dpi as this is my PC screen size. Most of the images that get posted on here from Flickr are added at 1024pix so the difference between any of my cameras and the DP2M would probably never be seen or noticed. If I printed large images then OK I would see the benefit i guess.
 
There are many reasons not to buy this camera and exclusive use of small images is one of them. If I had $1000 I'd give it a lot of thought and then buy something else. I don't' think I could make good use of this camera either. I'm still glad to see someone makes it, however.
 
There is an awful amount of belly aching about great cameras these days, whether we're talking about Nikon D800 autofocus, Fuji X10 orbs, or the Olympus E-M5 hum. By comparison, reports about what a given camera can do particularly well are less common.

A spot-on observation. It's annoying. Pointing out various strengths and weaknesses, and making a distinction between solid facts and personal preference is useful. But some of the whining about 'flaws' is incredible. Maybe we should actually make some photographs.
 
Question: Where would this camera benefit? I only put images up on the net at 1920pix 300dpi as this is my PC screen size. Most of the images that get posted on here from Flickr are added at 1024pix so the difference between any of my cameras and the DP2M would probably never be seen or noticed. If I printed large images then OK I would see the benefit i guess.

I'd imagine you'd be able to crop more tightly with images from the DP2M than with the Nikon D7000/Pentax K-30 level cameras, at the same focal length. And, I guess, the "look" of the images.
 
drd1135 is saying that if all you ever use is small images or posting on the internet and never print big, that the camera is really a waste.

Like a rich guy that buys a Ferrari to take to the grocery store. It was meant for the track.

Oh, I see now - thanks for the enlightenment!

I don't often print images, but I do create PC desktop backgrounds for monitors up to 27" for a local business, plus I have a little "fan club" of sorts. I think that when you have a desktop background only 2 - 3 feet away from the user, flaws are as noticeable as a 20x30 image hanging on a wall.
 
Maybe I should try to be more clear. :tongue: I find myself taking enough pictures in bad light and just showing them online for my own work not to merit this camera. I do love a truly high IQ image, however, so maybe some day a used one may find its way into my bag.
 
How refreshing is that, a master of one trade, and not a jack of all of them and master of none. Now that we have so many capable digital cameras which can do many things pretty well the DP2m does something none of the other does. The ultimate pocketable landscape/cityscape camera with an IQ at the top of the IQ chain. For those with system cameras, this would be a nice adition in your travel bag.
What a sensor, what a lens and all for USD 1000! Of course I bought one and will get the DP1M as well. The funds will come from selling the X1. The DP2M and Sony RX 100 in a small bag make for a dream travel combo.
 
Luke said:
drd1135 is saying that if all you ever use is small images or posting on the internet and never print big, that the camera is really a waste.

Like a rich guy that buys a Ferrari to take to the grocery store. It was meant for the track.

This is surely true of just about any dSLr made in the last 7 years and 'serious' compact in the last 3 ...
 
It may only be a superstition on my part but I think the difference between this camera and some other APSC in sharpness, subtle nuances of colour, texture and smoothness of tones from this sensor should be visible on a good monitor. I love the controversy this camera generates, it is subversive in several ways and this suits my alternative, introvert approach to things in general.
 
It may only be a superstition on my part but I think the difference between this camera and some other APSC in sharpness, subtle nuances of colour, texture and smoothness of tones from this sensor should be visible on a good monitor. I love the controversy this camera generates, it is subversive in several ways and this suits my alternative, introvert approach to things in general.

I completely agree with this statement. In the case of my Nokia Pureview, I can see the differences between it and any of my small sensor cameras on my 20" monitor without Pixel-Peeping. There is a subtle yet visible difference in edges and color/smoothness.
And the Nokia sensor is smaller yet than that of the Sigma...
 
I completely agree with this statement. In the case of my Nokia Pureview, I can see the differences between it and any of my small sensor cameras on my 20" monitor without Pixel-Peeping. There is a subtle yet visible difference in edges and color/smoothness.
And the Nokia sensor is smaller yet than that of the Sigma...

I love how the safe, conservative order that most (but certainly not all) of the camera makers have built is now in the process of being blown up. I say bring it all on... things are finally getting interesting. Let's hear it for the underdogs! :D
 
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