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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 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
  • Released April 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sigma SD1
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Announced April 2010
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Sigma and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and A850 (25MP) and the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SD1 Merrill was launched 2 years later than the A850 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SD1 Merrill scores vs the A850 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A850

 SD1 Merrill A850 
AnnouncedApril 2012April 2010More recent by 25 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A850 SD1 Merrill 
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A850

 SD1 Merrill A850 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Sigma SD1 Merrill comes with physical 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 A850 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check out the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SD1 Merrill and the A850.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and A850 is 57 and 54 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor measurements just by reading through specs. The graphic here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD1 Merrill and A850.

All in all, both of those cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SD1 Merrill because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A850 will resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger SD1 Merrill is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography features
Sony A850 Portrait photography features
65
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
72
has manual focus
megapixel count high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography factors
Sony A850 Sports photography factors
61
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Travel photography with Sony A850
54
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
55
environment proofing
megapixel count high (25 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography details
Sony A850 Landscape photography details
63
focusing manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count high (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
9
lack of video recording
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A850
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-04-10 2010-04-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Dual True II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4800 x 3200 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 76 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 790 gr (1.74 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 Dual
Cost at release $2,339 $0