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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S

Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S 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
  • Announced February 2012
  • Replacement is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Newer Model is Sony A7S II
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and A7S (12MP) and the DP1 Merrill (APS-C) and A7S (Full frame) offer different sensor sizing.

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The DP1 Merrill was revealed 3 years prior to the A7S which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the DP1 Merrill matches up versus the A7S with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony A7S

 DP1 Merrill A7S 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 A7S DP1 Merrill 
LaunchedApril 2014February 2012More modern by 26 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution1230k920kSharper display (+310k dot)

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A7S

 DP1 Merrill A7S 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Sigma DP1 Merrill comes with physical dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) while the Sony A7S has proportions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

Check the Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the DP1 Merrill compared to the A7S.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the DP1 Merrill and A7S is 82 and 77 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The picture here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP1 Merrill and A7S.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The DP1 Merrill with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sigma DP1 Merrill will render more detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged DP1 Merrill will be behind in sensor technology.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7S as a Portrait photography camera
73
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
68
you can focus manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
Street photography with Sony A7S
64
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
lighter than competition (489g)
great high ISO (409,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Sports photography information
Sony A7S Sports photography information
48
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
52
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
max fps low (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery pack (360 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7S as a Travel photography camera
54
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
58
lighter than competition (489 grams)
weather sealing
bad battery pack (360 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Landscape photography details
Sony A7S Landscape photography details
50
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen ( inch)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
66
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great high ISO (409,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery pack (360 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging features
Sony A7S Vlogging features
22
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
34
features face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic support
lighter than competition (489 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A7S
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony Alpha A7S
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony Alpha A7S
Class Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2012-02-08 2014-04-06
Physical type Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TRUE II engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4704 x 3136 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 6400 409600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range () -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size - 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dots 1,230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed - 30 secs
Max shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Max video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330 grams (0.73 lbs) 489 grams (1.08 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 Overall rating not tested 87
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 3702
Other
Battery life - 360 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $1,250 $1,998