Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A850

Below is a in-depth review of the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony A850, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and A850 (25MP) and the DP1 Merrill (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The DP1 Merrill was announced 23 months later than the A850 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the DP1 Merrill matches up vs the A850 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The whole galleries are available at Sigma DP1 Merrill Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.

If you're intending to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sigma DP1 Merrill has got outer measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony A850 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the DP1 Merrill against the A850.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the DP1 Merrill and A850 is 82 and 54 respectively.

Often, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The visual here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the DP1 Merrill and A850.

As you have seen, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The DP1 Merrill with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony A850 will offer you extra detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The younger DP1 Merrill is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.