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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha A7R III front
Portability
63
Imaging
77
Features
93
Overall
83

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III 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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD1
Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Released October 2017
  • Superseded the Sony A7R II
  • Updated by Sony A7R IV
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and A7R III (42MP) and the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and A7R III (Full frame) possess different sensor sizing.

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The SD1 Merrill was announced 6 years prior to the A7R III which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SD1 Merrill grades versus the A7R III for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A7R III

 SD1 Merrill A7R III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A7R III SD1 Merrill 
ReleasedOctober 2017April 2012More modern by 67 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kSharper display (+980k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A7R III

 SD1 Merrill A7R III 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Sigma SD1 Merrill features external measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) and the Sony A7R III has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).

Compare the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the SD1 Merrill against the A7R III.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SD1 Merrill and A7R III is 57 and 63 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through a spec sheet. The picture below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1 Merrill and A7R III.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SD1 Merrill with its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh trickier and the Sony A7R III will provide more detail with its extra 27MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged SD1 Merrill will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography advice
Sony A7R III Portrait photography advice
65
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
86
manual focus
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography features
Sony A7R III Street photography features
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment proofing
very good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography highlights
Sony A7R III Sports photography highlights
61
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
88
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography advice
Sony A7R III Travel photography advice
54
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
73
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography factors
Sony A7R III Landscape photography factors
63
focusing manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
87
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging features
Sony A7R III Vlogging features
9
can't record video
36
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A7R III
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony Alpha A7R III
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony Alpha A7R III
Class Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-04-10 2017-10-25
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Dual True II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 42MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4800 x 3200 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 6400 32000
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
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 - 425
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA Sony E
Amount of lenses 76 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - 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 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 790 gr (1.74 pounds) 657 gr (1.45 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 100
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 3523
Other
Battery life - 650 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Storage slots Single Two
Launch pricing $2,339 $2,800