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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500

Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
67
Features
85
Overall
74

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500 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
  • Successor is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Released October 2016
  • Succeeded the Sony A6300
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony A6500, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and A6500 (24MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The DP1 Merrill was announced 5 years prior to the A6500 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the DP1 Merrill grades against the A6500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony A6500

 DP1 Merrill A6500 

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 A6500 DP1 Merrill 
ReleasedOctober 2016February 2012Fresher by 56 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution922k920kCrisper screen (+2k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A6500

 DP1 Merrill A6500 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Sigma DP1 Merrill features exterior dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony A6500 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") having a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

Check the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony A6500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the DP1 Merrill and the A6500.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the DP1 Merrill and A6500 is 82 and 81 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The photograph below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the DP1 Merrill and A6500.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony A6500 to give extra detail with its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older DP1 Merrill is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography features
Sony A6500 Portrait photography features
73
has manual focus
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
80
you can focus manually
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Street photography details
Sony A6500 Street photography details
64
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
85
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
has touch to focus
environment sealing
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Sports photography features
Sony A6500 Sports photography features
48
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
77
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
bad battery (350 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Travel photography information
Sony A6500 Travel photography information
54
good MP (15 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
74
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
has touch to focus
good resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
bad battery (350 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Landscape photography features
Sony A6500 Landscape photography features
50
has manual focus
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small ( inches)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery (350 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging info
Sony A6500 Vlogging info
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic port
39
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A6500
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony Alpha a6500
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony Alpha a6500
Class Large Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-02-08 2016-10-06
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TRUE II engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4704 x 3136 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 425
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Maximal aperture f/2.8 -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal - 3"
Display resolution 920k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed - 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 330g (0.73 pounds) 453g (1.00 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 85
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1405
Other
Battery life - 350 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $1,250 $1,298