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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
71
Features
80
Overall
74

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7 Key Specs

Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Succeeded the Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Successor is Sony A7 II
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A7, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and A7 (24MP) and the DP3 Merrill (APS-C) and A7 (Full frame) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The DP3 Merrill was unveiled 12 months before the A7 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the DP3 Merrill matches up versus the A7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony A7

 DP3 Merrill A7 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 A7 DP3 Merrill 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2013Newer by 12 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1230k920kSharper display (+310k dot)

Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A7

 DP3 Merrill A7 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Sigma DP3 Merrill enjoys physical 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 A7 has proportions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

Examine the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A7 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 differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the DP3 Merrill versus the A7.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the DP3 Merrill and A7 is 83 and 78 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specs. The image below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the DP3 Merrill and A7.

All in all, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The DP3 Merrill with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A7 will provide extra detail having an extra 9MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged DP3 Merrill will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography features
Sony A7 Portrait photography features
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
82
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Street photography highlights
Sony A7 Street photography highlights
65
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
79
tilting screen
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
lighter than competition (474g)
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sports photography with Sony A7
45
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
can't change focal length (75mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography advice
Sony A7 Travel photography advice
54
MP count good (15MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition (474 grams)
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (340 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography details
Sony A7 Landscape photography details
56
you can focus manually
screen is a good size (3 inches)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (75mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
76
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging highlights
Sony A7 Vlogging highlights
22
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
36
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone jack
lighter than competition (474 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A7
 Sigma DP3 MerrillSony Alpha A7
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP3 Merrill Sony Alpha A7
Type Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2013-01-08 2014-01-22
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TRUE II engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4704 x 3136 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 50
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 117
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 75mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8 -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed - 30s
Max shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 gr (0.73 pounds) 474 gr (1.04 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 90
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.2
DXO Low light score not tested 2248
Other
Battery life - 340 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $1,353 $798