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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1

Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1 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
  • Launched February 2012
  • Updated by Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2021
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony a1, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Sigma and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and a1 (50MP) and the DP1 Merrill (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The DP1 Merrill was announced 10 years prior to the a1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the DP1 Merrill matches up against the a1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony a1

 DP1 Merrill a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 a1 DP1 Merrill 
AnnouncedJanuary 2021February 2012Fresher by 109 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution1440k920kClearer screen (+520k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony a1

 DP1 Merrill a1 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in 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") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) while the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Compare the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony a1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the DP1 Merrill and the a1.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the DP1 Merrill and a1 is 82 and 61 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP1 Merrill and a1.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The DP1 Merrill with its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Sony a1 will offer you extra detail with its extra 35MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older DP1 Merrill is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography details
Sony a1 Portrait photography details
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
88
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/400s)
great megapixels (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
Street photography with Sony a1
64
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
features touch to focus
environment proofing
very good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Sports photography highlights
Sony a1 Sports photography highlights
48
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery pack (530 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Travel photography factors
Sony a1 Travel photography factors
54
MP count decent (15MP)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
73
great battery pack (530 CIPA)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
features touch to focus
great megapixels (50 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Landscape photography info
Sony a1 Landscape photography info
50
has manual focus
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small ( inches)
no image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
88
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
great battery pack (530 CIPA)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma DP1 Merrill
Vlogging with Sony a1
22
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone support
36
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
comes with mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony a1
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony Alpha a1
Type Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2012-02-08 2021-01-26
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TRUE II engine -
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4704 x 3136 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 6400 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Maximal aperture f/2.8 -
Total lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal - 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed - 30 seconds
Max shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 7680x4320
Video file format Motion JPEG XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 grams (0.73 lbs) 737 grams (1.62 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Two
Launch pricing $1,250 $6,498