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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900 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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Previous Model is Sigma SD1
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Later Model is Sony A99
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Sigma and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and A900 (25MP) and the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) feature different sensor sizes.

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The SD1 Merrill was introduced 3 years after the A900 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the SD1 Merrill matches up against the A900 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A900

 SD1 Merrill A900 
LaunchedApril 2012October 2008Newer by 43 months

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A900 SD1 Merrill 
Display resolution922k460kClearer display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A900

 SD1 Merrill A900 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Sigma SD1 Merrill comes with exterior measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) and the Sony A900 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

See the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A900 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SD1 Merrill compared to the A900.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and A900 is 57 and 54 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out specs. The picture below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1 Merrill and A900.

All in all, both of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SD1 Merrill having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Sony A900 will show greater detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively. The newer SD1 Merrill provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Portrait photography with Sony A900
65
has manual focus
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
71
manual focus
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Street photography camera
Sony A900 as a Street photography camera
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography advice
Sony A900 Sports photography advice
61
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Travel photography with Sony A900
54
environment proof
good MP (15MP)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
54
weather proof
MP count excellent (25MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Landscape photography with Sony A900
63
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3")
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
72
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
no liveview
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging info
Sony A900 Vlogging info
9
can't record video
9
can't record video
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A900
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-04-10 2008-10-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 384.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4800 x 3200 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 76 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 30 secs
Highest shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 790 gr (1.74 lb) 895 gr (1.97 lb)
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 All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 1431
Other
Battery life - 880 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots One Two
Launch price $2,339 $2,736