Clicky

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500

Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500 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
  • Announced January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Released March 2014
  • Superseded the Sony A3000
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony a3500, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and a3500 (20MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The DP3 Merrill was introduced 14 months earlier than the a3500 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the DP3 Merrill grades vs the a3500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony a3500

 DP3 Merrill a3500 
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 a3500 DP3 Merrill 
ReleasedMarch 2014January 2013Newer by 14 months

Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony a3500

 DP3 Merrill a3500 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. 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) while the Sony a3500 has sizing of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Compare the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony a3500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the DP3 Merrill and the a3500.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the DP3 Merrill and a3500 is 83 and 69 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through a spec sheet. The picture underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the DP3 Merrill and a3500.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony a3500 to provide you with extra detail using its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged DP3 Merrill will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography features
Sony a3500 Portrait photography features
73
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
77
focusing manually
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
57
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (411g)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography info
Sony a3500 Sports photography info
44
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
can't change focal length (75mm)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
60
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
better than average battery pack (470 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Travel photography camera
54
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
better than average battery pack (470 CIPA)
MP count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (411g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography factors
Sony a3500 Landscape photography factors
55
manual focus
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (75mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (470 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging features
Sony a3500 Vlogging features
22
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
26
has face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no mic socket
heavier than competition (411g)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony a3500
 Sigma DP3 MerrillSony Alpha a3500
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP3 Merrill Sony Alpha a3500
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-01-08 2014-03-21
Physical type Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TRUE II engine BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4704 x 3136 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 75mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Min shutter speed - 30 seconds
Max shutter speed - 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330g (0.73 lb) 411g (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 470 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse shooting
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $1,353 $398