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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N 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
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Replacement is Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced February 2013
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Replacement is Sony a5000
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony NEX-3N, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The DP2 Merrill was released 12 months prior to the NEX-3N which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the DP2 Merrill matches up against the NEX-3N when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 DP2 Merrill NEX-3N 
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

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

 NEX-3N DP2 Merrill 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013February 2012More modern by 12 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

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

 DP2 Merrill NEX-3N 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Sigma DP2 Merrill offers exterior measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has specifications of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony NEX-3N in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the DP2 Merrill against the NEX-3N.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the DP2 Merrill and NEX-3N is 83 and 89 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching a spec sheet. The image underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the DP2 Merrill and NEX-3N.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony NEX-3N to render greater detail as a result of its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged DP2 Merrill will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Portrait photography camera
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
66
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Street photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Street photography factors
65
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
77
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography highlights
44
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (50mm)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
53
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (480 per charge)
slow fps (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography factors
54
good megapixels (15MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
better than average battery (480 per charge)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
55
focusing manually
nice screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (50mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
70
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (480 CIPA)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging factors
22
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic jack
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external mic jack
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony NEX-3N
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-02-08 2013-02-25
Body design Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TRUE II engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4704 x 3136 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 50mm (1x) -
Max aperture f/2.8 -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 30s
Maximum shutter speed - 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes no built-in flash -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640x480 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 gr (0.73 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 1067
Other
Battery life - 480 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $931 $399