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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
33
Overall
47
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Previous Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released May 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A35
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. The resolution of the DP3 Merrill (15MP) and the A37 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The DP3 Merrill was announced 8 months later than the A37 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the DP3 Merrill scores against the A37 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Sony A37

 DP3 Merrill A37 
ReleasedJanuary 2013May 2012More recent by 8 months
Screen size3"2.6"Bigger screen (+0.4")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 A37 DP3 Merrill 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A37

 DP3 Merrill A37 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP3 Merrill has external measurements 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 A37 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

See the Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the DP3 Merrill vs the A37.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the DP3 Merrill and A37 is 83 and 67 respectively.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements purely by viewing specifications. The graphic underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the DP3 Merrill and A37.

Plainly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Sony A37 to render extra detail with its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer DP3 Merrill is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography features
Sony A37 Portrait photography features
74
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Street photography highlights
Sony A37 Street photography highlights
65
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
77
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Sports photography details
Sony A37 Sports photography details
45
megapixel count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (75mm)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
low battery power (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
Travel photography with Sony A37
54
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
low battery power (500 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography details
Sony A37 Landscape photography details
56
you can focus manually
decent sized screen (3")
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (75mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse function
64
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.6 inch)
low battery power (500 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging advice
Sony A37 Vlogging advice
22
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP3 Merrill and Sony A37
 Sigma DP3 MerrillSony SLT-A37
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP3 Merrill Sony SLT-A37
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-08 2012-05-16
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TRUE II engine -
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4704 x 3136 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 75mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.6 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 30s
Highest shutter speed - 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 330 gr (0.73 lbs) 506 gr (1.12 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 799
Other
Battery life - 500 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $1,353 $522