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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Sigma DP3 Merrill
(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
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Old Model is Sony a5000
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100 Overview

Let's look closer at the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony a5100, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and a5100 (24MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The DP3 Merrill was introduced 19 months before the a5100 making them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the DP3 Merrill grades versus the a5100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony a5100

 DP3 Merrill a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 a5100 DP3 Merrill 
IntroducedAugust 2014January 2013More modern by 19 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k920kCrisper display (+2k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony a5100

 DP3 Merrill a5100 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sigma DP3 Merrill comes with physical dimensions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma DP3 Merrill versus Sony a5100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the DP3 Merrill and the a5100.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the DP3 Merrill and a5100 is 83 and 89 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the DP3 Merrill and a5100.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony a5100 to render extra detail using its extra 9MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged DP3 Merrill will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography information
Sony a5100 Portrait photography information
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Street photography info
Sony a5100 Street photography info
65
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
82
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus via touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography highlights
Sony a5100 Sports photography highlights
45
good resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (75mm)
low fps (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
68
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery life (400 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography information
Sony a5100 Travel photography information
54
good resolution (15 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
80
good battery life (400 shots)
boasts focus via touch
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony a5100
56
you can focus manually
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (75mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging details
Sony a5100 Vlogging details
22
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
34
touchscreen capability
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing external microphone port
Photography Glossary

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony a5100
 Sigma DP3 MerrillSony Alpha a5100
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP3 Merrill Sony Alpha a5100
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-01-08 2014-08-17
Body design Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TRUE II engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4704 x 3136 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 179
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 75mm (1x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8 -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed - 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 grams (0.73 lbs) 283 grams (0.62 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1347
Other
Battery life - 400 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $1,353 $448