Sigma announces 46MP DP3 Merrill compact camera

<p><img src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/cameras/Sigma/DP3%20Merrill/sigma-dp3-merrill-580-75.jpg" alt="Sigma announces 46MP DP3 Merrill compact camera" /></p>

<h1 >CES 2013 Sigma's latest APS-C format compact camera is unveiled</h1>

<p>The DP3 Merrill has a 50mm f/2.8 optic, whereas the DP1 Merrill has a 19mm lens and the DP2 Merrill a 30mm lens. <br>

Because the DP3 Merrill has an APS-C sized (23.4x15.7mm) sensor this 50mm lens produces images comparable with a 75mm on a full-frame camera.<br>

As with Sigma's other 46MP compact cameras, the DP3 Merrill's sensor is a Foveon X3 Merrill device that makes use of the fact that light of different colours penetrates silicon to different depths. As a result, rather than having a Bayer pattern of coloured filters over its surface the Foveon X3 direct image sensor captures light via 15.26 receptors at 3 different depths.<br>

Sigma claims that this, plus the lack of an anti-aliasing filter and the Dual TRUE II image processing engine enables the DP3 Merrill to produce images with detail on a par with those from 46MP cameras and excellent tonal gradations.<br>

Image quality is further enhanced by the fact that the 50mm lens is specifically made to work with the camera's sensor and has a telecentric design so that light waves are close to perpendicular when they hit the sensor. The lens also makes use of Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, aspherical elements and has Super Multi-Layer Coatings to reduce flare and ghosting.<br>

More from Techradar <a href="http://www.techradar.com/us/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/sigma-announces-46mp-dp3-merrill-compact-camera-1123509">here</a><br>

Source: <a href="http://www.techradar.com/us/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/sigma-announces-46mp-dp3-merrill-compact-camera-1123509">http://www.techradar.com/us/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/sigma-announces-46mp-dp3-merrill-compact-camera-1123509</a></p>

<p>Am I the only one that doesn't get it? I'm one of the few people I know that would be perfectly happy owning nothing but a 75mm lens, and I still have no idea why this camera would be any good.</p>

<p>If you're going to give it such a 'plain' focal length, there is zero reason why that couldn't have been an f/2 lens. And furthermore, this sort of setup NEEDS an optical viewfinder to really get sharp images, or at least a flip-up screen. 75mm is long enough that without stabilization, you'll have an awful hard time holding it steady at arms' length.</p>

<p>Unless Sigma thinks that the owners of this camera will only be shooting in broad daylight. In which case, they may have well have made the lens f/4, so that maybe the camera could be even smaller.</p>

<p>You are not alone. I don't get it, unless they're aiming to make this inexpensive.</p>

<p>Andy, I don't think price matters. Even if it was $200, the sort of customers that would buy this over buying a 50 f/2 are few and far between.</p>

<p>Is it a macro? Or a typo? Or have enough people got used to putting 50mm lenses on DX cameras that it seems like a good idea now? Sigma does have a bit of history with making out-of-box moves, so maybe they know something about the market that we don't?</p>

<p>Sigma's lenses for the DP1 and DP2 are held to be pretty good and sharp wide open. So I think f/2.8 is fine if it's fully sharp at that aperture. Those who really like these cameras may buy one of each focal length; or it might even make a pocket-sized spare for portraits at weddings etc. I agree that holding it at arm's length will be painful; Sigma do make for the other models an accessory optical viewfinder.</p>

<p>I would never say that some if not many of Sigma's amazing design decisions seem the result of drunken dart throws. They are apparently aiming at a market that will spring into existence femtoseconds before the product is released. That kind of marketing acumen trumps any technical need or desire on the part of existing camera buyers. I often wish I could align my pocket camera needs with the products that marketing has decided I should want, but usually my peg won't fit the hole.... /..</p>