Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3
83 Imaging
56 Features
33 Overall
46


89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 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
- Launched February 2012
- Replaced the Sigma DP1 Merrill
- Replacement is Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Released June 2010
- Refreshed by Sony NEX-C3

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Let's take a deeper look at the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony NEX-3, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The DP2 Merrill was launched 21 months after the NEX-3 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the DP2 Merrill matches up versus the NEX-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are viewable at Sigma DP2 Merrill Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony NEX-3
DP2 Merrill | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2012 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 21 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill
NEX-3 | DP2 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony NEX-3
DP2 Merrill | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 920k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Sigma DP2 Merrill enjoys physical measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Compare the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the DP2 Merrill versus the NEX-3.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the DP2 Merrill and NEX-3 is 83 and 89 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The picture underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the DP2 Merrill and NEX-3.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sigma DP2 Merrill to show extra detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher DP2 Merrill should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Sigma DP2 Merrill | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Sigma | Sony |
Model | Sigma DP2 Merrill | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Type | Large Sensor Compact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2012-02-08 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Large Sensor Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Dual TRUE II engine | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 24 x 16mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 384.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4704 x 3136 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 50mm (1x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/2.8 | - |
Number of lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 920k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | - | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | - | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640x480 | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 330 grams (0.73 pounds) | 297 grams (0.65 pounds) |
Dimensions | 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 pictures |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | - | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $931 | $0 |