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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha a5000 front
Portability
89
Imaging
63
Features
62
Overall
62

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 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
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Older Model is Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Refreshed by Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony a5000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-3N
  • Successor is Sony a5100
Photography Glossary

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and a5000 (20MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The DP2 Merrill was revealed 23 months earlier than the a5000 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony a5000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a short view of how the DP2 Merrill grades vs the a5000 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony a5000

 DP2 Merrill a5000 
Screen resolution920k461kSharper screen (+459k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 a5000 DP2 Merrill 
ReleasedJanuary 2014February 2012More recent by 23 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony a5000

 DP2 Merrill a5000 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sigma DP2 Merrill features exterior measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony a5000 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the DP2 Merrill versus the a5000.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the DP2 Merrill and a5000 is 83 and 89 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements just by checking specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the DP2 Merrill and a5000.

All in all, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony a5000 to give you extra detail because of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older DP2 Merrill is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Portrait photography information
Sony a5000 Portrait photography information
73
you can focus manually
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
71
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Street photography details
Sony a5000 Street photography details
65
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
78
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sports photography with Sony a5000
44
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
can't change focal length (50mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
60
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
good battery life (420 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography information
Sony a5000 Travel photography information
54
MP count decent (15MP)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
78
good battery life (420 per charge)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Landscape photography features
Sony a5000 Landscape photography features
55
you can focus manually
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (50mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (420 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Vlogging info
Sony a5000 Vlogging info
22
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
32
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
does not have external mic socket
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony a5000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony a5000
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony Alpha a5000
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony Alpha a5000
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-02-08 2014-01-07
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TRUE II engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4704 x 3136 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 50mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.6
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30s
Fastest shutter speed - 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640x480 1920 x 1080 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330 gr (0.73 lbs) 269 gr (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1089
Other
Battery life - 420 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $931 $448