Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390
57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51


66 Imaging
54 Features
54 Overall
54
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
- Introduced April 2012
- Superseded the Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Revealed July 2010
- Older Model is Sony A380

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Overview
Here is a in depth comparison of the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the A390 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

The SD1 Merrill was brought out 21 months later than the A390 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SD1 Merrill matches up versus the A390 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Sigma SD1 Merrill & Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The entire galleries are viewable at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery & Sony A390 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A390
SD1 Merrill | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2012 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 21 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
A390 | SD1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A390
SD1 Merrill | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Sigma SD1 Merrill offers physical 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 A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Check the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SD1 Merrill vs the A390.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and A390 is 57 and 66 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very tough to see the gap in sensor sizing only by going through specifications. The photograph below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1 Merrill and A390.
To sum up, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Sigma SD1 Merrill to show more detail having its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger SD1 Merrill will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Specifications
Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Sigma | Sony |
Model | Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2012-04-10 | 2010-07-28 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Dual True II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 24 x 16mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 384.0mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4800 x 3200 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Sigma SA | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 76 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | - | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | - | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | None | None |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 790g (1.74 lbs) | 549g (1.21 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 607 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 230 shots |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $2,339 | $500 |