Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III
57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51


63 Imaging
77 Features
93 Overall
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Sony A7R II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

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.

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.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Sigma SD1 Merrill & Sony Alpha A7R III. The whole galleries are provided at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery & Sony A7R III Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2017 | ![]() | April 2012 | More modern by 67 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper 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 sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R III Specifications
Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony 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 |