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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Previous Model is Sigma SD1
Sony NEX-5
(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
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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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony NEX-5

 SD1 Merrill NEX-5 
AnnouncedApril 2012June 2010Newer by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 NEX-5 SD1 Merrill 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony NEX-5

 SD1 Merrill NEX-5 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Portrait photography camera
65
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
72
focusing manually
decent MP (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Street photography with Sony NEX-5
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography factors
61
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
52
decent MP (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography information
54
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
59
decent MP (14MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography factors
63
manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
68
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
decent MP (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging details
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging details
9
no video
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony NEX-5
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony 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