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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha A7S III front
Portability
61
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III 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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Older Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony A7S III
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Increase to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Released July 2020
  • Succeeded the Sony A7S II
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony A7S III, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and A7S III (12MP) and the DP3 Merrill (APS-C) and A7S III (Full frame) posses different sensor measurements.

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The DP3 Merrill was announced 8 years prior to the A7S III and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A7S III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the DP3 Merrill matches up versus the A7S III in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony A7S III

 DP3 Merrill A7S III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S III over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 A7S III DP3 Merrill 
ReleasedJuly 2020January 2013Fresher by 91 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1440k920kClearer display (+520k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A7S III

 DP3 Merrill A7S III 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurements

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Sigma DP3 Merrill features external 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) while the Sony A7S III has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).

Examine the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony A7S III in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the DP3 Merrill versus the A7S III.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the DP3 Merrill and A7S III is 83 and 61 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing technical specs. The visual underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the DP3 Merrill and A7S III.

As you have seen, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The DP3 Merrill using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will deliver extra detail with its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The older DP3 Merrill is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III sensor size comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography features
Sony A7S III Portrait photography features
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
71
has manual focus
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Street photography features
Sony A7S III Street photography features
65
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
environment sealing
good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7S III as a Sports photography camera
45
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (75mm)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (600 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Travel photography with Sony A7S III
54
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
better than average battery life (600 per charge)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
display is selfie friendly
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony A7S III
56
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good megapixels (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (75mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery life (600 per charge)
has dual storage slots
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7S III as a Vlogging camera
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone port
77
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A7S III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A7S III
 Sigma DP3 MerrillSony Alpha A7S III
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP3 Merrill Sony Alpha A7S III
Type Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-01-08 2020-07-21
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TRUE II engine Bionz XR
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4704 x 3136 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 6400 102400
Max enhanced ISO - 409600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 759
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 75mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8 -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.91x
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330g (0.73 pounds) 699g (1.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2993
Other
Battery life - 600 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage media - Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Storage slots 1 Two
Price at release $1,353 $3,499