Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550
57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51
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63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 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
- Succeeded the Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Released December 2009
- Previous Model is Sony A100
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 Overview
In this write-up, we are contrasting the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the A550 (14MP) is fairly well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).
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The SD1 Merrill was manufactured 2 years after the A550 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SD1 Merrill grades versus the A550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The entire galleries are viewable at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A550
SD1 Merrill | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2012 | ![]() | December 2009 | Newer by 29 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
A550 | SD1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A550
SD1 Merrill | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Sigma SD1 Merrill enjoys physical dimensions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Examine the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SD1 Merrill versus the A550.
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Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and A550 is 57 and 63 respectively.
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The pic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1 Merrill and A550.
As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Sigma SD1 Merrill to resolve more detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more recent SD1 Merrill should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 Specifications
Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sigma | Sony |
Model type | Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2012-04-10 | 2009-12-09 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Dual True II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 24 x 16mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 384.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4800 x 3200 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Sigma SA | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 76 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 96% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | - | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | - | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Maximum video resolution | None | None |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 790 grams (1.74 lb) | 632 grams (1.39 lb) |
Dimensions | 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.8 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 480 images |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $2,339 | $749 |