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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S Key Specs

Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 50mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Old Model is Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Renewed by Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • New Model is Sony A7S II
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S Overview

Below, we are comparing the Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Sigma and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and A7S (12MP) and the DP2 Merrill (APS-C) and A7S (Full frame) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The DP2 Merrill was unveiled 3 years earlier than the A7S which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the DP2 Merrill grades versus the A7S with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony A7S

 DP2 Merrill A7S 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 A7S DP2 Merrill 
LaunchedApril 2014February 2012Newer by 26 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1230k920kSharper display (+310k dot)

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A7S

 DP2 Merrill A7S 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP2 Merrill features outer measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony A7S has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the DP2 Merrill compared to the A7S.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the DP2 Merrill and A7S is 83 and 77 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at specs. The picture here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the DP2 Merrill and A7S.

All in all, both of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The DP2 Merrill having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will give you more detail having an extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged DP2 Merrill is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Portrait photography info
Sony A7S Portrait photography info
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
68
focusing manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony A7S as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
lighter than competitors (489g)
very good ISO range (409,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7S as a Sports photography camera
44
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
low frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
52
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
low fps (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (360 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Travel photography with Sony A7S
54
megapixel count good (15MP)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
58
lighter than competitors (489g)
environment proof
not so great battery life (360 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony A7S
55
has manual focus
nice screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
66
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (409,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (360 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7S as a Vlogging camera
22
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic socket
34
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic port
lighter than competitors (489g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A7S
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony Alpha A7S
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony Alpha A7S
Class Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-02-08 2014-04-06
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TRUE II engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4704 x 3136 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 6400 409600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 50mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640x480 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Max video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330g (0.73 pounds) 489g (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 87
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.2
DXO Low light score not tested 3702
Other
Battery life - 360 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $931 $1,998