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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
57
Imaging
55
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62
Imaging
79
Features
93
Overall
84

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD1
Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Announced July 2019
  • Earlier Model is Sony A7R III
  • Successor is Sony A7R V
Photography Glossary

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Sigma and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and A7R IV (61MP) and the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and A7R IV (Full frame) possess different sensor measurements.

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The SD1 Merrill was unveiled 8 years earlier than the A7R IV and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A7R IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SD1 Merrill grades vs the A7R IV with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A7R IV

 SD1 Merrill A7R IV 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A7R IV SD1 Merrill 
AnnouncedJuly 2019April 2012More recent by 88 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kCrisper display (+980k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A7R IV

 SD1 Merrill A7R IV 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sigma SD1 Merrill features external dimensions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) and the Sony A7R IV has proportions of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).

Compare the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SD1 Merrill and the A7R IV.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SD1 Merrill and A7R IV is 57 and 62 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by viewing technical specs. The photograph below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1 Merrill and A7R IV.

As you can tell, both of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SD1 Merrill with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A7R IV will result in extra detail having an extra 46 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older SD1 Merrill will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Portrait photography with Sony A7R IV
65
manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
87
you can focus manually
great megapixels (61 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography information
Sony A7R IV Street photography information
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features focus by touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography advice
Sony A7R IV Sports photography advice
60
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
89
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (61MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery life (670 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography factors
Sony A7R IV Travel photography factors
53
weather sealing
resolution is good (15MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
73
great battery life (670 CIPA)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
great megapixels (61 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony A7R IV
62
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
87
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (61MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great battery life (670 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging factors
Sony A7R IV Vlogging factors
9
no video recording
36
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A7R IV
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony Alpha A7R IV
Type Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-04-10 2019-07-16
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Dual True II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 61 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4800 x 3200 9504 x 6336
Maximum native ISO 6400 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 567
Lens
Lens mounting type Sigma SA Sony E
Available lenses 76 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 790g (1.74 pounds) 665g (1.47 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 99
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.8
DXO Low light score not tested 3344
Other
Battery life - 670 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 2
Launch cost $2,339 $3,498