Sigma
FP2
Pocket-sized L-Mount full-frame body with a 24.5MP partially stacked sensor, 20fps stills, 6K OpenGate / ProRes RAW video, 70GB internal storage, and a Still/Cine mode switch.
$2,199
Launch priceReleased Nov 2026
Sigma
sd1 Merrill
APS-C Foveon X3 body delivering extraordinary per-pixel detail and unique color rendering.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Mar 2012
FP2 is 14.7 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
FP2
Wins
sd1 Merrill
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AFP2 has lower AF low-light limit (-5 EV vs 0 EV)
- Bsd1 Merrill has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- Bsd1 Merrill has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- AFP2 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- AFP2 has higher RAW buffer depth (180 frames vs 60 frames)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
FP2
112 × 71 × 41 mm
460 g (1.01 lb / 16.23 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
sd1 Merrill
146 × 114 × 80 mm
680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
FP2 is 34mm narrower, 43mm shorter, and 39mm thinner than sd1 Merrill.
FP2 is 220 g lighter than sd1 Merrill.
Depth (front-to-back): 41mm FP2 · 80mm sd1 Merrill
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
FP2
112 × 71 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.
FP2
112 × 41 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
sd1 Merrill
146 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
FP2
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 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
FP2
AF low-light limit
-5 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Animals, Birds, People
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 112, 71, 41
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
180 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only FP2 supports it
Codecs
Adds ProRes RAW, ProRes RAW HQ
Reasons to choose
sd1 Merrill
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
6 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 145.5, 113.5, 80
Card types
Adds CompactFlash
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only sd1 Merrill supports it
In-body stabilization (IBIS)
Only sd1 Merrill supports it
Wi-Fi
Only sd1 Merrill supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 1
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
FP2
Pros
- ✓World's smallest full-frame body (376g body only)
- ✓24.5MP partially stacked sensor, 20fps electronic burst
- ✓6K OpenGate + ProRes RAW HQ, L-Log, 32-bit float audio
- ✓70GB internal storage + SD UHS-II + USB SSD
- ✓Tilting 3.15" LCD, dust/splash resistant, modular EVF-21
Cons
- –No in-body image stabilization (EIS in video only)
- –No built-in EVF — optional EVF-21 sold separately
- –Electronic shutter only
- –No headphone jack (USB audio only)
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 FP2 and sd1 Merrill at major authorized retailers.
Sigma sd1 Merrill
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, FP2 or sd1 Merrill?
sd1 Merrill scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for FP2 — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the FP2 and sd1 Merrill?
FP2 is 24.5 MP and sd1 Merrill is 46 MP, so the sd1 Merrill captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the FP2 and sd1 Merrill have in-body image stabilization?
FP2 does not have IBIS, while sd1 Merrill has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the FP2 or the sd1 Merrill?
FP2 reaches 20 fps electronic. sd1 Merrill reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the FP2 and sd1 Merrill?
FP2 weighs 460 g and sd1 Merrill weighs 680 g, so the FP2 is 220 g lighter.
Do the FP2 and sd1 Merrill record 4K video?
FP2: 4K up to 59.94p. sd1 Merrill: 4K up to 60p.
Are the FP2 and sd1 Merrill weather sealed?
FP2: Yes. sd1 Merrill: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 370 shots (CIPA) for the FP2 and 640 shots for the sd1 Merrill, giving the sd1 Merrill the edge.
How much does each cost?
FP2 launched at $2,199 and sd1 Merrill at $2,299. The FP2 is $100 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way FP2 vs sd1 Merrill vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed October 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sigma press materials.