Clicky

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N 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
  • Launched April 2012
  • Replaced the Sigma SD1
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Later Model is Sony a5000
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Sigma SD1 Merrill versus Sony NEX-3N, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The SD1 Merrill was launched 10 months prior to the NEX-3N which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple view of how the SD1 Merrill grades versus the NEX-3N with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

				

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony NEX-3N

 SD1 Merrill NEX-3N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 NEX-3N SD1 Merrill 
RevealedFebruary 2013April 2012More modern by 10 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony NEX-3N

 SD1 Merrill NEX-3N 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Sigma SD1 Merrill enjoys outside measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has proportions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Contrast the Sigma SD1 Merrill versus Sony NEX-3N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SD1 Merrill and the NEX-3N.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and NEX-3N is 57 and 89 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes merely by checking out technical specs. The pic here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1 Merrill and NEX-3N.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Sony NEX-3N to produce extra detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged SD1 Merrill will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography info
65
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
66
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography features
Sony NEX-3N Street photography features
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
77
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Sports photography camera
61
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
53
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (480 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography factors
54
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
no Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
71
better than average battery life (480 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography features
63
has manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
70
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (480 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging information
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging information
9
lack of video recording
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony NEX-3N
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-04-10 2013-02-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual True II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4800 x 3200 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Sigma SA Sony E
Total lenses 76 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed - 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed - 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash settings no built-in flash -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 790g (1.74 lbs) 269g (0.59 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 1067
Other
Battery life - 480 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $2,339 $399