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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 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
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD1
Sony A550
(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
Photography Glossary

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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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A550

 SD1 Merrill A550 
ReleasedApril 2012December 2009Newer by 29 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A550 SD1 Merrill 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A550

 SD1 Merrill A550 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and A550 is 57 and 63 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

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.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography features
Sony A550 Portrait photography features
65
has manual focus
megapixel count good (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography features
Sony A550 Street photography features
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography information
Sony A550 Sports photography information
61
megapixel count good (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography features
Sony A550 Travel photography features
54
environment sealing
megapixel count good (15MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
51
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (480 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography info
Sony A550 Landscape photography info
63
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3")
megapixel count good (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
not so great battery pack (480 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Vlogging with Sony A550
9
no video recording
9
no video
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A550
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony 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