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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37

Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 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
  • Launched February 2012
  • Successor is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched May 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A35
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Sigma and Sony. The resolution of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and the A37 (16MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The DP1 Merrill was announced 3 months before the A37 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the DP1 Merrill matches up vs the A37 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony A37

 DP1 Merrill A37 
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 A37 DP1 Merrill 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension2.6""Bigger screen (+2.6")

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A37

 DP1 Merrill A37 
LaunchedFebruary 2012May 2012Same age
Focus manually Very precise focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Sigma DP1 Merrill provides exterior measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Sony A37 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Look at the Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the DP1 Merrill compared to the A37.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the DP1 Merrill and A37 is 82 and 67 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the DP1 Merrill and A37.

As you can tell, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Sony A37 to result in extra detail with its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A37 as a Portrait photography camera
73
manual focus
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Street photography information
Sony A37 Street photography information
64
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
77
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sports photography with Sony A37
48
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
max fps low (6.0 fps)
low battery (500 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Travel photography factors
Sony A37 Travel photography factors
54
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery (500 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Landscape photography info
Sony A37 Landscape photography info
50
manual focus
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (")
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
64
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.6 inches)
low battery (500 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging highlights
Sony A37 Vlogging highlights
22
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic port
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic port
display is not selfie friendly
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A37
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony SLT-A37
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony SLT-A37
Class Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-02-08 2012-05-16
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TRUE II engine -
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4704 x 3136 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range () -
Maximum aperture f/2.8 -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing - 2.6"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 30s
Maximum shutter speed - 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330g (0.73 lb) 506g (1.12 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 64mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.5") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 799
Other
Battery life - 500 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $1,250 $522