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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 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
  • Launched February 2012
  • Replaced the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Replacement is Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony NEX-3
(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
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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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony NEX-3

 DP2 Merrill NEX-3 
ReleasedFebruary 2012June 2010Newer by 21 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 NEX-3 DP2 Merrill 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony NEX-3

 DP2 Merrill NEX-3 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution920k920kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography highlights
73
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
72
focusing manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Street photography features
Sony NEX-3 Street photography features
65
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Sports photography highlights
44
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
can't change focal length (50mm)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
52
good resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography highlights
54
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
good resolution (14 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
55
you can focus manually
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (50mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
68
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Vlogging camera
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone port
27
offers face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony NEX-3
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony 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