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Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
72
Overall
74
Canon EOS 5DS front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Canon 5DS
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 930g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
  • Launched February 2015
Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Older Model is Sigma SD1
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Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sigma. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the 5DS (51MP) and SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the 5DS (Full frame) and SD1 Merrill (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The 5DS was released 2 years later than the SD1 Merrill and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the 5DS matches up vs the SD1 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5DS over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 5DS SD1 Merrill 
IntroducedFebruary 2015April 2012Fresher by 35 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Canon 5DS

 SD1 Merrill 5DS 

Common features in the Canon 5DS and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 5DS SD1 Merrill 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon 5DS offers external measurements of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 930 grams (2.05 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 Merrill has dimensions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Look at the Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the 5DS and the SD1 Merrill.

Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 5DS and SD1 Merrill is 55 and 57 respectively.

Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The visual below should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the 5DS and SD1 Merrill.

Clearly, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 5DS due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Canon 5DS will deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 36MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos way more aggressively. The younger 5DS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5DS as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
85
manual focus
sensor resolution is amazing (51 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
65
has manual focus
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Canon 5DS as a Street photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Street photography camera
61
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5DS Sports photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography factors
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is amazing (51 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (700 shots)
61
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5DS Travel photography info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography info
57
environment proof
sensor resolution is amazing (51MP)
terrible battery power (700 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
54
environment proofing
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 5DS
Landscape photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
75
manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
sensor resolution is amazing (51 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (700 shots)
63
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5DS Vlogging highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging highlights
30
provides face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Canon 5DS vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5DS and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Canon EOS 5DSSigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sigma
Model type Canon EOS 5DS Sigma SD1 Merrill
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2015-02-06 2012-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Dual DIGIC 6 Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 51 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 8688 x 5792 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 61 -
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF Sigma SA
Available lenses 250 76
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds -
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 930g (2.05 lb) 790g (1.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 87 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2381 not tested
Other
Battery life 700 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LP-E6 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible), CompactFlash Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots Two One
Pricing at release $3,699 $2,339