Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A380
83 Imaging
56 Features
33 Overall
46


68 Imaging
53 Features
54 Overall
53
Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A380 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 640 x 480 video
- 75mm (F2.8) lens
- 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
- Released January 2013
- Replaced the Sigma DP2 Merrill
(Full Review)

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A380 Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony A380, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and the A380 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

The DP3 Merrill was announced 3 years after the A380 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the DP3 Merrill matches up vs the A380 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A380 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sigma DP3 Merrill & Sony Alpha DSLR-A380. The whole galleries are viewable at Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery & Sony A380 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony A380
DP3 Merrill | A380 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 42 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill
A380 | DP3 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A380
DP3 Merrill | A380 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP3 Merrill offers physical dimensions 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 A380 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).
See the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony A380 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the DP3 Merrill against the A380.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the DP3 Merrill and A380 is 83 and 68 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through specifications. The pic here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the DP3 Merrill and A380.
To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sigma DP3 Merrill to result in more detail with its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger DP3 Merrill will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A380 Specifications
Sigma DP3 Merrill | Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sigma | Sony |
Model type | Sigma DP3 Merrill | Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 |
Category | Large Sensor Compact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2013-01-08 | 2009-08-24 |
Body design | Large Sensor Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Dual TRUE II engine | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 24 x 16mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 384.0mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4704 x 3136 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 75mm (1x) | - |
Max aperture | f/2.8 | - |
Total lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 920k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | - | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | - | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 | - |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | None |
Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 330 grams (0.73 pounds) | 519 grams (1.14 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") | 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 67 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.8 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 614 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 500 images |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | - | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $1,353 | $899 |