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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7

Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7 Key Specs

Sigma DP1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 64mm
  • Released February 2012
  • New Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Refreshed by Sony A7 II
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7 Overview

Following is a complete review of the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony A7, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and A7 (24MP) and the DP1 Merrill (APS-C) and A7 (Full frame) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The DP1 Merrill was introduced 23 months earlier than the A7 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the DP1 Merrill grades vs the A7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony A7

 DP1 Merrill A7 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 A7 DP1 Merrill 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014February 2012More modern by 23 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution1230k920kClearer display (+310k dot)

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A7

 DP1 Merrill A7 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP1 Merrill features outer dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Sony A7 has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

Examine the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony A7 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the DP1 Merrill against the A7.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the DP1 Merrill and A7 is 82 and 78 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out specifications. The image here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the DP1 Merrill and A7.

Plainly, both of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The DP1 Merrill using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A7 will produce greater detail using its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged DP1 Merrill will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
Portrait photography with Sony A7
73
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
82
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
Street photography with Sony A7
64
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
lighter than competition (474 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sports photography with Sony A7
48
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
66
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
bad battery power (340 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7 as a Travel photography camera
54
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition (474g)
environment proof
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
bad battery power (340 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Landscape photography details
Sony A7 Landscape photography details
50
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen ( inches)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
no image stabilization
bad battery power (340 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging features
Sony A7 Vlogging features
22
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
35
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone socket
lighter than competition (474 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A7
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony Alpha A7
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony Alpha A7
Category Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-02-08 2014-01-22
Physical type Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TRUE II engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4704 x 3136 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 50
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 117
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range () -
Largest aperture f/2.8 -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size - 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dots 1,230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 30s
Highest shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate - 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330 gr (0.73 lbs) 474 gr (1.04 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 90
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 2248
Other
Battery life - 340 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $1,250 $798