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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55

Portability
82
Imaging
56
Features
30
Overall
45
Sigma DP1 Merrill front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55 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
  • Released February 2012
  • New Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony A57
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony A55, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the DP1 Merrill (15MP) and the A55 (16MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The DP1 Merrill was brought out 18 months after the A55 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP1 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the DP1 Merrill scores vs the A55 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 Merrill over the Sony A55

 DP1 Merrill A55 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012August 2010Newer by 18 months

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sigma DP1 Merrill

 A55 DP1 Merrill 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A55

 DP1 Merrill A55 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Sigma DP1 Merrill has got exterior 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 A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check out the Sigma DP1 Merrill versus Sony A55 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the DP1 Merrill compared to the A55.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the DP1 Merrill and A55 is 82 and 67 respectively.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions merely by checking out a spec sheet. The image below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP1 Merrill and A55.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony A55 to show extra detail having its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The fresher DP1 Merrill provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Portrait photography details
Sony A55 Portrait photography details
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
73
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Street photography highlights
Sony A55 Street photography highlights
64
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
77
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Sports photography information
Sony A55 Sports photography information
48
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
bad battery pack (380 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Travel photography advice
Sony A55 Travel photography advice
54
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Landscape photography advice
Sony A55 Landscape photography advice
50
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small ( inches)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
67
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
bad battery pack (380 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Merrill Vlogging information
Sony A55 Vlogging information
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
78
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic jack
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Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 Merrill and Sony A55
 Sigma DP1 MerrillSony SLT-A55
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony SLT-A55
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-02-08 2010-08-24
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
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 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4704 x 3136 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range () -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing - 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed - 30s
Max shutter speed - 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 grams (0.73 pounds) 500 grams (1.10 pounds)
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 Overall score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $1,250 $800