Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5
57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
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89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 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
- Previous Model is Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Announced June 2010
- Renewed by Sony NEX-5N

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
The following is a in-depth analysis of the Sigma SD1 Merrill versus Sony NEX-5, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. The resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

The SD1 Merrill was launched 23 months after the NEX-5 making them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SD1 Merrill matches up against the NEX-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The complete galleries are provided at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony NEX-5
SD1 Merrill | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2012 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 23 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
NEX-5 | SD1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony NEX-5
SD1 Merrill | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch display |
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD1 Merrill has got physical measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Examine the Sigma SD1 Merrill versus Sony NEX-5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SD1 Merrill versus the NEX-5.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and NEX-5 is 57 and 89 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by checking out technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1 Merrill and NEX-5.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sigma SD1 Merrill to show extra detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The more recent SD1 Merrill is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Sigma | Sony |
Model | Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
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 dimensions | 24 x 16mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 384.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4800 x 3200 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Sigma SA | Sony E |
Available lenses | 76 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | - | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | - | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB 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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | AVCHD |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 grams (1.74 lb) | 287 grams (0.63 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 69 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 photographs |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $2,339 | $599 |