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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • Updated by Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5N
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony NEX-5, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The DP1 Merrill was unveiled 21 months later than the NEX-5 making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the DP1 Merrill matches up versus the NEX-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony NEX-5

 DP1 Merrill NEX-5 
RevealedFebruary 2012June 2010Fresher by 21 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 NEX-5 DP1 Merrill 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3""Larger display (+3")

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony NEX-5

 DP1 Merrill NEX-5 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display resolution920k920kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Sigma DP1 Merrill features outside 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 NEX-5 has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony NEX-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the DP1 Merrill vs the NEX-5.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the DP1 Merrill and NEX-5 is 82 and 89 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to see the difference between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The visual underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the DP1 Merrill and NEX-5.

As you can tell, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sigma DP1 Merrill to deliver greater detail having an extra 1MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more modern DP1 Merrill is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography information
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
72
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Street photography factors
64
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
76
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Sports photography details
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography details
48
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
fixed focal length (()mm)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
52
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography advice
54
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
59
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Landscape photography camera
50
has manual focus
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen ( inch)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
68
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
22
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony NEX-5
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony Alpha NEX-5
Class Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-02-08 2010-06-07
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TRUE II engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4704 x 3136 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range () -
Max aperture f/2.8 -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing - 3 inch
Screen resolution 920k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed - 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330g (0.73 pounds) 287g (0.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life - 330 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $1,250 $599