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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony SLT-A35 front
Portability
69
Imaging
56
Features
70
Overall
61

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35 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
  • Announced February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Replacement is Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony A35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 415g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Old Model is Sony A33
  • Replacement is Sony A37
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Sigma DP2 Merrill versus Sony A35, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and the A35 (16MP) is very comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The DP2 Merrill was unveiled 5 months after the A35 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A35 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the DP2 Merrill grades versus the A35 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony A35

 DP2 Merrill A35 

Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 A35 DP2 Merrill 
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A35

 DP2 Merrill A35 
ReleasedFebruary 2012September 2011Same generation
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sigma DP2 Merrill offers outside measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony A35 has dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma DP2 Merrill versus Sony A35 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the DP2 Merrill versus the A35.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the DP2 Merrill and A35 is 83 and 69 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by going through specifications. The picture here may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the DP2 Merrill and A35.

Plainly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony A35 to show extra detail having an extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Portrait photography with Sony A35
73
focusing manually
decent MP (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Street photography information
Sony A35 Street photography information
65
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
71
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors (415g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Sports photography highlights
Sony A35 Sports photography highlights
44
decent MP (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (50mm)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery power (440 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography information
Sony A35 Travel photography information
54
decent MP (15 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
58
lighter than competitors (415 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (440 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony A35
55
focusing manually
decent sized screen (3")
decent MP (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (50mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
69
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
bad battery power (440 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Vlogging with Sony A35
22
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic port
36
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic socket
lighter than competitors (415g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A35 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A35
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony SLT-A35
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony SLT-A35
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-02-08 2011-09-20
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
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 15MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4704 x 3136 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 50mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8 -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed - 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640x480 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330g (0.73 lb) 415g (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 763
Other
Battery life - 440 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $931 $598