Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A560
83 Imaging
56 Features
33 Overall
46


64 Imaging
54 Features
78 Overall
63
Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A560 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced February 2012
- Earlier Model is Sigma DP1 Merrill
- Refreshed by Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Introduced August 2010
- Previous Model is Sony A500

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A560 Overview
Here, we will be contrasting the Sigma DP2 Merrill versus Sony A560, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and the A560 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The DP2 Merrill was brought out 18 months after the A560 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A560 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the DP2 Merrill matches up against the A560 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A560 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sigma DP2 Merrill & Sony Alpha DSLR-A560. The entire galleries are viewable at Sigma DP2 Merrill Gallery & Sony A560 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony A560
DP2 Merrill | A560 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2012 | ![]() | August 2010 | Newer by 18 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A560 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill
A560 | DP2 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+2k dot) |
Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A560
DP2 Merrill | A560 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A560 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Sigma DP2 Merrill offers exterior dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Sony A560 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).
Contrast the Sigma DP2 Merrill versus Sony A560 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the DP2 Merrill against the A560.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the DP2 Merrill and A560 is 83 and 64 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A560 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP2 Merrill and A560.
As you can see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Sigma DP2 Merrill to resolve more detail having its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern DP2 Merrill is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A560 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A560 Specifications
Sigma DP2 Merrill | Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Sigma | Sony |
Model type | Sigma DP2 Merrill | Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 |
Category | Large Sensor Compact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2012-02-08 | 2010-08-24 |
Body design | Large Sensor Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Dual TRUE II engine | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 24 x 16mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 384.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4704 x 3136 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 15 |
Cross type focus points | - | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 50mm (1x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/2.8 | - |
Number of lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | - | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | - | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640x480 | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone 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 | 330 gr (0.73 lb) | 599 gr (1.32 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 70 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 817 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 1050 photographs |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | - | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Two |
Retail price | $931 | $650 |