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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500

Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Key Specs

Sigma DP1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 64mm
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Renewed by Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony A3000
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony a3500, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and a3500 (20MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The DP1 Merrill was revealed 3 years prior to the a3500 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a short summation of how the DP1 Merrill matches up vs the a3500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony a3500

 DP1 Merrill a3500 
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 a3500 DP1 Merrill 
AnnouncedMarch 2014February 2012More modern by 25 months
Screen sizing3""Bigger screen (+3")

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony a3500

 DP1 Merrill a3500 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP1 Merrill has got outside measurements 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 a3500 has measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Compare the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony a3500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the DP1 Merrill against the a3500.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the DP1 Merrill and a3500 is 82 and 69 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through technical specs. The pic below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the DP1 Merrill and a3500.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Sony a3500 to show greater detail because of its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged DP1 Merrill will be behind in sensor technology.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography details
Sony a3500 Portrait photography details
73
focusing manually
MP count good (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
77
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Street photography details
Sony a3500 Street photography details
64
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Sports photography details
Sony a3500 Sports photography details
48
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (()mm)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
60
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
good battery life (470 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Travel photography advice
Sony a3500 Travel photography advice
54
MP count good (15MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
good battery life (470 CIPA)
MP count good (20MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (411 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony a3500
50
focusing manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (")
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (470 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging details
Sony a3500 Vlogging details
22
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
26
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than others in class (411g)
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony a3500
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony Alpha a3500
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony Alpha a3500
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-02-08 2014-03-21
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TRUE II engine BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4704 x 3136 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Maximum aperture f/2.8 -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal - 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30s
Fastest shutter speed - 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330g (0.73 lb) 411g (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
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 - 470 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $1,250 $398