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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S III

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha A7S III front
Portability
61
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S III 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
  • Released February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Renewed by Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony A7S III
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Bump to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Announced July 2020
  • Previous Model is Sony A7S II
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Sigma DP2 Merrill versus Sony A7S III, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and A7S III (12MP) and the DP2 Merrill (APS-C) and A7S III (Full frame) have different sensor size.

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The DP2 Merrill was launched 9 years earlier than the A7S III which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A7S III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the DP2 Merrill matches up vs the A7S III with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony A7S III

 DP2 Merrill A7S III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S III over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 A7S III DP2 Merrill 
AnnouncedJuly 2020February 2012Newer by 102 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1440k920kCrisper screen (+520k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A7S III

 DP2 Merrill A7S III 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen size

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and volume. The Sigma DP2 Merrill comes with exterior measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) while the Sony A7S III has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma DP2 Merrill versus Sony A7S III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the DP2 Merrill and the A7S III.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S III size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the DP2 Merrill and A7S III is 83 and 61 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S III top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The picture here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the DP2 Merrill and A7S III.

As you have seen, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The DP2 Merrill featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Sigma DP2 Merrill will render greater detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged DP2 Merrill will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S III sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Portrait photography details
Sony A7S III Portrait photography details
73
manual focus
decent megapixels (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
71
manual focus
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Street photography features
Sony A7S III Street photography features
65
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
provides touch focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Sports photography details
Sony A7S III Sports photography details
44
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery life (600 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
MP count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7S III as a Travel photography camera
54
decent megapixels (15MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
good battery life (600 per charge)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
provides touch focus
selfie friendly screen
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Landscape photography features
Sony A7S III Landscape photography features
55
manual focus
screen size is good (3")
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
77
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good battery life (600 per charge)
has double storage slots
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7S III as a Vlogging camera
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
77
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone port
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A7S III
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony Alpha A7S III
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony Alpha A7S III
Category Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-02-08 2020-07-21
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TRUE II engine Bionz XR
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 847.3mm²
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 102400
Max enhanced ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 50mm (1x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8 -
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.91x
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640x480 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 grams (0.73 lbs) 699 grams (1.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 85
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 2993
Other
Battery life - 600 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage - Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Storage slots 1 2
Cost at release $931 $3,499