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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1 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
  • Superseded the Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
Photography Glossary

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1 Overview

Let's look closer at the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony a1, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and a1 (50MP) and the DP3 Merrill (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The DP3 Merrill was revealed 9 years before the a1 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the DP3 Merrill scores against the a1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony a1

 DP3 Merrill a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 a1 DP3 Merrill 
LaunchedJanuary 2021January 2013More recent by 98 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k920kSharper screen (+520k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony a1

 DP3 Merrill a1 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP3 Merrill has got physical measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) while the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony a1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the DP3 Merrill vs the a1.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the DP3 Merrill and a1 is 83 and 61 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The photograph here will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the DP3 Merrill and a1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The DP3 Merrill having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony a1 will deliver more detail because of its extra 35 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The older DP3 Merrill is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Portrait photography with Sony a1
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
89
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/400s)
sensor resolution is high (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
65
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
environment proof
great ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sports photography with Sony a1
45
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
can't change focal length (75mm)
max fps low (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
91
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high max fps (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery power (530 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography highlights
Sony a1 Travel photography highlights
54
good resolution (15 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
74
great battery power (530 CIPA)
environment proof
has bluetooth
provides focus by touch
sensor resolution is high (50 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography factors
Sony a1 Landscape photography factors
56
you can focus manually
good sized screen (3")
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (75mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
88
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great ISO range (32,000)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
great battery power (530 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Vlogging with Sony a1
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
37
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high video quality (7680 x 4320 pxls)
does have external mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony a1
 Sigma DP3 MerrillSony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP3 Merrill Sony Alpha a1
Class Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2013-01-08 2021-01-26
Physical type Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TRUE II engine -
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4704 x 3136 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 6400 32000
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 759
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 75mm (1x) -
Max aperture f/2.8 -
Number of lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 7680x4320
Video data format Motion JPEG XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330g (0.73 pounds) 737g (1.62 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots 1 Dual
Launch cost $1,353 $6,498