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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300

Portability
82
Imaging
55
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300 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 A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Revealed January 2008
  • New Model is Sony A330
Photography Glossary

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony A300, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Sigma and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and A300 (10MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The DP1 Merrill was introduced 4 years later than the A300 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the DP1 Merrill grades vs the A300 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony A300

 DP1 Merrill A300 
RevealedFebruary 2012January 2008More recent by 49 months
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 A300 DP1 Merrill 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size2.7""Larger display (+2.7")

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A300

 DP1 Merrill A300 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sigma DP1 Merrill comes with external measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) while the Sony A300 has dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony A300 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the DP1 Merrill compared to the A300.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the DP1 Merrill and A300 is 82 and 64 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the DP1 Merrill and A300.

Clearly, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sigma DP1 Merrill to give you greater detail using its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher DP1 Merrill is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography info
Sony A300 Portrait photography info
73
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
59
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Street photography factors
Sony A300 Street photography factors
64
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Sports photography factors
Sony A300 Sports photography factors
47
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
54
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Travel photography factors
Sony A300 Travel photography factors
53
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
45
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Landscape photography information
Sony A300 Landscape photography information
50
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small ( inches)
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
57
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
MP count low (10 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging factors
Sony A300 Vlogging factors
21
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic jack
9
no video recording
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A300
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Class Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-02-08 2008-01-30
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TRUE II engine -
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Max resolution 4704 x 3136 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range () -
Maximal aperture f/2.8 -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing - 2.7"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed - 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 gr (0.73 pounds) 632 gr (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 538
Other
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - Compact Flash
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $1,250 $0