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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
62
Overall
65

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900 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
  • Superseded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Replacement is Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Successor is Sony A99
Photography Glossary

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A900, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Sigma and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and A900 (25MP) and the DP2 Merrill (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The DP2 Merrill was launched 3 years after the A900 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the DP2 Merrill scores versus the A900 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony A900

 DP2 Merrill A900 
RevealedFebruary 2012October 2008Newer by 41 months

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 A900 DP2 Merrill 
Screen resolution922k920kSharper screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A900

 DP2 Merrill A900 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sigma DP2 Merrill provides outer measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Sony A900 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A900 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the DP2 Merrill against the A900.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the DP2 Merrill and A900 is 83 and 54 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading through a spec sheet. The image here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the DP2 Merrill and A900.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The DP2 Merrill because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A900 will give extra detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher DP2 Merrill should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Portrait photography with Sony A900
73
focusing manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
72
has manual focus
resolution is fantastic (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony A900 as a Street photography camera
65
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
Sony A900 as a Sports photography camera
44
good resolution (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
can't change focal length (50mm)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography features
Sony A900 Travel photography features
54
good resolution (15 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
55
weather sealing
resolution is fantastic (25 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony A900
55
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (50mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is fantastic (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
does not have liveview
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Vlogging info
Sony A900 Vlogging info
22
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone port
9
can't shoot video
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A900
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Category Large Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-02-08 2008-10-22
Body design Large Sensor Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TRUE II engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4704 x 3136 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 50mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8 -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed - 30 secs
Max shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640x480 -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 grams (0.73 lbs) 895 grams (1.97 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1431
Other
Battery life - 880 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media - Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots Single Two
Retail price $931 $2,736