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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP2 Merrill front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55 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
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Updated by Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony A57
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A55, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the DP2 Merrill (15MP) and the A55 (16MP) is very close and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The DP2 Merrill was brought out 18 months later than the A55 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP2 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the DP2 Merrill grades against the A55 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Merrill over the Sony A55

 DP2 Merrill A55 
LaunchedFebruary 2012August 2010Fresher by 18 months

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sigma DP2 Merrill

 A55 DP2 Merrill 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A55

 DP2 Merrill A55 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and size. The Sigma DP2 Merrill features exterior measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) while the Sony A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A55 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the DP2 Merrill and the A55.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the DP2 Merrill and A55 is 83 and 67 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching technical specs. The visual underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the DP2 Merrill and A55.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Sony A55 to result in more detail having its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The fresher DP2 Merrill is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Portrait photography advice
Sony A55 Portrait photography advice
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Street photography highlights
Sony A55 Street photography highlights
65
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
77
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sports photography with Sony A55
44
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
can't change focal length (50mm)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
low battery power (380 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Travel photography highlights
Sony A55 Travel photography highlights
54
megapixel count good (15MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
62
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse function
low battery power (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP2 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
Sony A55 Landscape photography highlights
55
manual focus
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (50mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
67
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
low battery power (380 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma DP2 Merrill
Vlogging with Sony A55
22
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
78
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone port
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Sigma DP2 Merrill vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Merrill and Sony A55
 Sigma DP2 MerrillSony SLT-A55
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP2 Merrill Sony SLT-A55
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-02-08 2010-08-24
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TRUE II engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 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
Maximum resolution 4704 x 3136 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 50mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8 -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 30s
Highest shutter speed - 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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 sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640x480 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 gr (0.73 lb) 500 gr (1.10 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 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $931 $800