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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Sigma SD1 Merrill
(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  • Superseded the Sigma SD1
Sony A390
(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
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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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A390

 SD1 Merrill A390 
RevealedApril 2012July 2010Fresher by 21 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A390 SD1 Merrill 
Screen typeTiltingFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 size comparison

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

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
65
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography info
Sony A390 Street photography info
57
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
76
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography features
Sony A390 Sports photography features
61
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (3.0 fps)
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Travel photography camera
Sony A390 as a Travel photography camera
54
weather proof
decent megapixels (15MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
53
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A390 as a Landscape photography camera
63
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent megapixels (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery pack (230 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging features
Sony A390 Vlogging features
9
no video
9
can't record video
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A390
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony 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