Sigma
fp L
World's smallest full-frame interchangeable camera with 61MP and L-mount.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jul 2021
Sigma
sd1 Merrill
APS-C Foveon X3 body delivering extraordinary per-pixel detail and unique color rendering.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Mar 2012
fp L is 9.3 years newer.
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Wins
fp L
Wins
sd1 Merrill
10 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- Afp L has lower AF low-light limit (-5 EV vs 0 EV)
- Bsd1 Merrill has higher RAW buffer depth (60 frames vs 12 frames)
- Bsd1 Merrill has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 240 shots)
- Bsd1 Merrill has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 29.97 fps)
- Afp L has lower Weight (427 g vs 680 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
fp L
113 × 70 × 45 mm
427 g (0.94 lb / 15.06 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
sd1 Merrill
146 × 114 × 80 mm
680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
fp L is 33mm narrower, 44mm shorter, and 35mm thinner than sd1 Merrill.
fp L is 253 g lighter than sd1 Merrill.
Depth (front-to-back): 45mm fp L · 80mm sd1 Merrill
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
fp L
113 × 70 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
sd1 Merrill
146 × 114 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
fp L
113 × 45 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
sd1 Merrill
146 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
fp L
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
sd1 Merrill
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
fp L
AF low-light limit
-5 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 112.6, 69.9, 45.3
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Codecs
Adds CinemaDNG, MOV
AA filter
Only fp L supports it
Internal RAW video
Only fp L supports it
Weight
427 g vs 680 g — lower is better
Resolution
61 MP vs 46 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
sd1 Merrill
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 145.5, 113.5, 80
Card types
Adds CompactFlash
RAW buffer depth
60 frames vs 12 frames — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 240 shots — higher is better
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265
In-body stabilization (IBIS)
Only sd1 Merrill supports it
Burst (electronic)
15 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 49
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 90 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
fp L
Pros
- ✓Tiny full-frame
- ✓61MP
- ✓L-mount
- ✓Unique industrial design
Cons
- –No IBIS
- –Small battery
- –Minimal ergonomics
sd1 Merrill
Pros
- ✓Unique Foveon rendering
- ✓Exceptional detail
- ✓No AA filter needed
- ✓Distinct look
Cons
- –Very slow
- –Poor high ISO
- –SA mount limited
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the fp L and sd1 Merrill at major authorized retailers.
Sigma fp L
Sigma sd1 Merrill
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, fp L or sd1 Merrill?
sd1 Merrill scores 6.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for fp L — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the fp L and sd1 Merrill?
fp L is 61 MP and sd1 Merrill is 46 MP, so the fp L captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the fp L and sd1 Merrill have in-body image stabilization?
fp L does not have IBIS, while sd1 Merrill has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the fp L or the sd1 Merrill?
fp L reaches 10 fps electronic. sd1 Merrill reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the fp L and sd1 Merrill?
fp L weighs 427 g and sd1 Merrill weighs 680 g, so the fp L is 253 g lighter.
Do the fp L and sd1 Merrill record 4K video?
fp L: 4K up to 29.97p. sd1 Merrill: 4K up to 60p.
Are the fp L and sd1 Merrill weather sealed?
fp L: Yes. sd1 Merrill: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 240 shots (CIPA) for the fp L and 640 shots for the sd1 Merrill, giving the sd1 Merrill the edge.
How much does each cost?
fp L launched at $2,499 and sd1 Merrill at $2,299. The sd1 Merrill is $200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way fp L vs sd1 Merrill vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sigma press materials.