In summary
Like its siblings, the DP2 Merrill is a highly specialised camera that will suit a limited audience. At ISO 100, the slowest shutter speed is 30 seconds, which makes this camera well suited to low-light photography and can yield some excellent sunset and sunrise shots.
Despite its many shortcomings, the DP2 Merrill’s combination of Foveon X3 sensor and high-performance 30mm prime lens deliver sharp, high-resolution images that are as good as (and often better than) those from a 20-megapixel DSLR. Converted raw files are a pleasure to work with and make outstanding large-format prints. If that’s what you’re after and you can work around the camera’s idiosyncrasies there’s no conventional-sensor camera that can match its performance.
Rating
| Build | 9.0 |
| Ease of use | 8.5 |
| Autofocusing | 8.3 |
| Still image quality JPEG | 8.8 |
| Still image quality RAW | 9.5 |
| Video quality | 5.0 |
| OVERAL | 9.0 |
RRP: AU$749; US$999
Specs
- Image sensor: 23.5 x 15.7 mm Foveon X3 Direct Image CMOS Sensor with 48 million colour photo detectors; 46 megapixels effective (4,800 x 3,200 x 3)
- Image processor: Dual TRUE II chips
- A/D processing: 12-bit
- Lens: 30mm f/2.8-f/16 (approx. 45mm equivalent in 35mm format)
- Lens construction: 8 elements in 6 groups
- Image formats: Stills ““ JPEG (Exif 2.3), X3F.RAW (lossless compression), RAW+JPEG; Movies ““ AVI
- Image Sizes: Stills ““ 4704 x 3136, 3264 x 2176, 2336 x 1568; Movies: VGA (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 fps
- Image Stabilisation: No
- Shutter speed range: 1/2000 to 30 seconds
- Exposure Compensation: +/-3 EV in 1/3- or 1/2-EV increments
- Exposure bracketing: +/-3 EV in 1/3- or 1/2-EV increments
- Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay
- Focus system: Contrast Detection AF with 9 sensor points; range – 28 cm to infinity
- Focus modes: Macro, Portrait and Scenery; 9 points select mode, Free move mode with Spot, Regular and Large sizes for the Focus Frame; AF Limit mode; manual focus
- Exposure metering: Evaluative, Centre-weighted average and Spot
- Shooting modes: Program AE (with Program Shift), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual exposure, Movie plus three Custom memories
- Colour Mode settings: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Portrait, Landscape, B&W, Sepia, FOV Classic Blue
- Colour space options: sRGB, Adobe RGB
- ISO range: Auto: ISO 100 – 6400 in 1/3EV steps
- White balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
- Flash: No
- Sequence shooting: Max. approx. 4 shots/sec. for up to 7 frames (High quality JPEG, RAW or RAW+JPEG)
- Storage Media: Single slot for SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards; UHS-1 compatible
- Viewfinder: No
- LCD monitor: 3-inch TFT colour LCD with approx. 920,000 million dots; brightness adjustable
- Interface terminals: A/V out, USB 2.0
- Power supply: BP-41 rechargeable lithium-ion battery; CIPA rated for approx. 97 shots/charge (2 batteries supplied with each camera)
- Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 121.5 x 66.7 x 59.2 mm
- Weight: Approx. 355 grams (without battery and card)
