Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5000

Here, we will be evaluating the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony a5000, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and a5000 (20MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The DP3 Merrill was launched 12 months prior to the a5000 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony a5000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the DP3 Merrill scores vs the a5000 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Sigma DP3 Merrill & Sony Alpha a5000. The complete galleries are provided at Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery & Sony a5000 Gallery.

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sigma DP3 Merrill features physical 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) and the Sony a5000 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony a5000 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the DP3 Merrill vs the a5000.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the DP3 Merrill and a5000 is 83 and 89 respectively.

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the DP3 Merrill and a5000.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Sony a5000 to provide more detail utilizing its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged DP3 Merrill will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.