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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha A7S II front
Portability
68
Imaging
61
Features
76
Overall
67

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II Key Specs

Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 50mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Renewed by Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony A7S II
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Boost to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 627g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Introduced October 2015
  • Replaced the Sony A7S
  • Replacement is Sony A7S III
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A7S II, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and A7S II (12MP) and the DP2 Merrill (APS-C) and A7S II (Full frame) offer totally different sensor size.

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The DP2 Merrill was launched 4 years before the A7S II and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A7S II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the DP2 Merrill grades vs the A7S II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony A7S II

 DP2 Merrill A7S II 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 A7S II DP2 Merrill 
IntroducedOctober 2015February 2012Fresher by 44 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1229k920kClearer display (+309k dot)

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A7S II

 DP2 Merrill A7S II 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Sigma DP2 Merrill offers outside 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) while the Sony A7S II has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") having a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs).

Check out the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A7S II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the DP2 Merrill against the A7S II.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the DP2 Merrill and A7S II is 83 and 68 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The graphic here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the DP2 Merrill and A7S II.

Plainly, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The DP2 Merrill because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will show extra detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older DP2 Merrill will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7S II as a Portrait photography camera
73
focusing manually
MP count good (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
68
has manual focus
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony A7S II as a Street photography camera
65
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Sports photography information
Sony A7S II Sports photography information
44
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (50mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
58
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery life (370 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Travel photography with Sony A7S II
54
MP count good (15MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
49
environment sealing
low battery life (370 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Landscape photography features
Sony A7S II Landscape photography features
55
focusing manually
good sized screen (3 inches)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (50mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
71
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery life (370 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Vlogging with Sony A7S II
22
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic socket
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A7S II
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony Alpha A7S II
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony Alpha A7S II
Type Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-02-08 2015-10-12
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TRUE II engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4704 x 3136 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 6400 102400
Highest enhanced ISO - 409600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 169
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 50mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640x480 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps])
Highest video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330g (0.73 pounds) 627g (1.38 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2993
Other
Battery life - 370 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $931 $2,767