The Merrill range brings major updates to Sigma's DP series of expert compacts which, you may remember, come loaded with large-format sensors (APS-C) and fixed-focal-length lenses.

Sturdy; robust design; Good-quality lens; Sensor/lens give exceptional quality images; Noise handled well up to 400 ISO; Interesting design and handling

No built-in flash or accessory supplied; No optical or mechanical stabilisation; Very low battery life (two batteries supplied as standard; Only one software option for RAW files; No viewfinder (optical or EVF; Video resolution: 640 x 480 pixels

On the surface, the 4.6-megapixel Sigma DP2 ($649 street) is a compact point-and-shoot camera that's very expensive, too big to fit in your pocket, and lacks optical zoom, face detection, and HD-or even SD-video recording.

No optical zoom; Lens is not interchangeable; No face detection; Noticeable shutter lag; Low still image and video resolutions; Small LCD; ISO 1600 and 3200 are only available when shooting in RAW format.

Really unacceptable camera body, with a great lens and an amazing sensor. Images produced are breathtaking. Transition from light to dark is flawless. No compact can get you this image quality, and most cheaper DLSRs will fail in comparison. New micro 4/3, and compacts like Leica X1 have arrived.

Too limiting for most snappers, but definitely capable of achieving top class results in the right conditions

Lots of old school charm; compact size; high quality lens and sensor; great colour reproduction

Small; low-res screen; sloth-like autofocus; lacks the flexibility of a zoom lens

Sigma is perhaps best known to photographers as a supplier of affordable third-party lenses that are compatible with big-brand cameras. However, it's been gradually developing its own line-up of digital compacts that make the most of its heritage in optical excellence.

An impressive sensor in a compact body, but some of the DP2's other quirks aren't as appealing.

Instead of a regular APS-C sensor, the Sigma DP2 Merrill adopts a Foveon X3 CMOS chip, which consists of three layers of photodiodes, each responding to different wavelengths of light.

As premium compact cameras go, the Sigma DP2 takes a different tack to the likes of the Panasonic GF1 and Canon G11 . It doesn't support interchangeable lenses or rock a built-in zoom lens – instead, it features a fixed focal length lens with a large aperture, teaming it up with an advanced...

It's always difficult reviewing cameras like the Sigma DP2, a fairly niche product that inspires fierce loyalty in its devotes. A compact, pocketable camera designed to appeal to enthusiast and fine art photographers, the DP2 joins models like the Canon PowerShot G10 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3...

Excellent characteristics for shooting in black and white; compact; nice manual controls

Slow AF system; short battery life; stiff shutter button; some interface annoyances; occasional lockups; poor white balance; overly blue LCD screen; poor video capture

At low ISO sensitivities, the photo quality is extremely good, with a broad, smooth tonal range with good shadow and highlight detail. Although, according to Foveon and Sigma, the X3 sensor has 14-megapixel resolution, colour resolution (in this case the number of photo sites, which is 3 for each...

Excellent characteristics for shooting in black and white; Compact; Nice manual controls

Slow AF system, Short battery life, Stiff shutter button, Some interface annoyances, Occasional lock-ups; poor white balance; overly blue LCD screen; poor video capture