Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3
57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
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89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
- Revealed April 2012
- Earlier Model is Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Introduced June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3
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In this article, we will be analyzing the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe SD1 Merrill was manufactured 23 months after the NEX-3 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a short view of how the SD1 Merrill matches up against the NEX-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Sigma SD1 Merrill & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The entire galleries are viewable at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony NEX-3
| SD1 Merrill | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | April 2012 |  | June 2010 | More modern by 23 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
| NEX-3 | SD1 Merrill | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen resolution | 920k |  | 460k | Sharper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony NEX-3
| SD1 Merrill | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Very accurate focusing | ||
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
| Selfie screen |  | Absent selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Absent Touch screen |
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry around your camera, you have 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) while the Sony NEX-3 has specifications of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Analyze the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SD1 Merrill and the NEX-3.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and NEX-3 is 57 and 89 respectively.
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through technical specs. The pic below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1 Merrill and NEX-3.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Sigma SD1 Merrill to produce greater detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer SD1 Merrill should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Sigma | Sony |
| Model type | Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Revealed | 2012-04-10 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Dual True II | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 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 |
| Max resolution | 4800 x 3200 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | - | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Sigma SA | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 76 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
| Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | - | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | - | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | - | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
| Video format | - | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 790g (1.74 lb) | 297g (0.65 lb) |
| Dimensions | 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 330 shots |
| Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch cost | $2,339 | $0 |