Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N
57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51


89 Imaging
57 Features
52 Overall
55
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N 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
- Launched April 2012
- Replaced the Sigma SD1
(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

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).

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.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony Alpha NEX-3N. The complete galleries are viewable at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery and Sony NEX-3N Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2013 | ![]() | April 2012 | More modern by 10 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony NEX-3N
SD1 Merrill | NEX-3N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Same 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications
Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony 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 |