To my knowledge, the DP3 Merrill is the first compact camera that comes with a designed for portrait and macro photography telephoto lens. A very courageous step of Sigma in my opinion and therefore reason enough for me to try this camera. At first I thought that the focal length would be to limit too much. Although I also do portraits and occasionally a bit macro, it'm used to working with either zoom, wide-angle or normal focal lengths. I was surprised myself how fast I was captivated the Compact, my initial skepticism gave no two days. :-) It has been found that 50mm or 75mm converted very well suited to KB for detailed images that can, once you have embarked on the focal length, makes Haufe. Suddenly one thinks aha, I have previously paid no attention, I'll do a quick picture to see how it looks photographed. This stimulates the curiosity and before you know it you find yourself on a fun journey of discovery. It also does not hurt that the lens and the Foveon sensor are very well matched to each other and provided you, beautiful light, will be rewarded with magical colors. You have to let the Japanese, such as image quality in a compact body you get nowhere else. With f2.8 you can not just release virtually with a f1.4 lens, the background blur but it looks very creamy and nicely and the lens is starting at full aperture knack-sharp. I'm with the imaging performance of the DP3 Merrill generally more than satisfied. It is such a picture quality of thick and used many times more expensive DSLRs and lenses. The handling and operation are, as already described by Kai M., at a similarly high level. All buttons and controls are there where you'd expect and the Quick Menu makes making all settings easily and quickly. Although one would expect from the rectilinear form of something else, the camera is very good and safe to hold. The weight is well distributed on the lens and the housing and it slides nothing. The DP3 is not a speed monster, and I have to agree Kai. I can not speak for others, but I'm more than willing to take pictures decelerates when I will later rewarded with breathtaking images. The RAWs which one gets to see at home on the computer, make up for the few seconds that you have to wait for each image until they end up on the memory card. I can not recommend the Sigma DP3 Merrill each, a compact camera with a fixed focal length (short tele at that) they can nor fulfill all wishes and satisfy any photographer, like a Porsche could make any motorists completely happy. But we know what you're getting and one uses in his everyday photography the short telephoto, you can be with this powerful, small camera more than happy. :-)
