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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
49
Features
40
Overall
45

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 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
  • Old Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Refreshed by Sony A290
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 Overview

Following is a thorough overview of the Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Sigma and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and A230 (10MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The DP3 Merrill was announced 3 years after the A230 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the DP3 Merrill grades against the A230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony A230

 DP3 Merrill A230 
RevealedJanuary 2013May 2009More modern by 45 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 A230 DP3 Merrill 

Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A230

 DP3 Merrill A230 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP3 Merrill offers outer measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) while the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Examine the Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the DP3 Merrill compared to the A230.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the DP3 Merrill and A230 is 83 and 69 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the DP3 Merrill and A230.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sigma DP3 Merrill to give extra detail with its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern DP3 Merrill is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
73
manual focus
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
53
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
MP count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Street photography with Sony A230
65
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography factors
Sony A230 Sports photography factors
44
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
fixed focal length (75mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
low battery (230 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography details
Sony A230 Travel photography details
54
decent megapixels (15MP)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
45
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery (230 per charge)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A230 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
nice screen size (3")
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (75mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
MP count low (10MP)
low battery (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging highlights
Sony A230 Vlogging highlights
22
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
9
can't shoot video
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A230
 Sigma DP3 MerrillSony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP3 Merrill Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-08 2009-05-18
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TRUE II engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4704 x 3136 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 75mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed - 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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 lbs) 490g (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type - SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $1,353 $569