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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
74
Features
76
Overall
74

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R Key Specs

Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD1
Sony A7R
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Renewed by Sony A7R II
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A7R, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and A7R (36MP) and the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and A7R (Full frame) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The SD1 Merrill was launched 22 months before the A7R making them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a brief view of how the SD1 Merrill matches up against the A7R in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A7R

 SD1 Merrill A7R 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A7R SD1 Merrill 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014April 2012Newer by 22 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1230k460kSharper display (+770k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A7R

 SD1 Merrill A7R 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD1 Merrill features outside dimensions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) while the Sony A7R has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).

Check the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A7R in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SD1 Merrill versus the A7R.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and A7R is 57 and 78 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The picture underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1 Merrill and A7R.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SD1 Merrill because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A7R will offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The more aged SD1 Merrill is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7R as a Portrait photography camera
65
you can focus manually
good megapixels (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
84
has manual focus
sensor resolution is high (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony A7R as a Street photography camera
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
80
screen tilts
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
lighter than competition (465g)
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography details
Sony A7R Sports photography details
61
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is high (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
bad battery power (340 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography details
Sony A7R Travel photography details
54
weather proofing
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
70
lighter than competition (465 grams)
weather sealing
sensor resolution is high (36MP)
bad battery power (340 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7R as a Landscape photography camera
63
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
sensor resolution is high (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
no image stabilization
bad battery power (340 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7R as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
36
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic jack
lighter than competition (465g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A7R
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony Alpha A7R
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony Alpha A7R
Category Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-04-10 2014-02-13
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual True II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) 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 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4800 x 3200 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA Sony E
Number of lenses 76 121
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 30 secs
Highest shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 790 grams (1.74 lb) 465 grams (1.03 lb)
Physical dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 95
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 2746
Other
Battery life - 340 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $2,339 $1,898