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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3 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-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-F3
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Sigma SD1 Merrill versus Sony NEX-C3, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is relatively similar and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The SD1 Merrill was revealed 8 months after the NEX-C3 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SD1 Merrill grades against the NEX-C3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony NEX-C3

 SD1 Merrill NEX-C3 
LaunchedApril 2012August 2011More modern by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 NEX-C3 SD1 Merrill 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony NEX-C3

 SD1 Merrill NEX-C3 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD1 Merrill offers external measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) and the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Sigma SD1 Merrill versus Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SD1 Merrill and the NEX-C3.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and NEX-C3 is 57 and 91 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1 Merrill and NEX-C3.

As you can see, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Sony NEX-C3 to offer you extra detail because of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern SD1 Merrill should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography highlights
65
you can focus manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
74
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography factors
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
80
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography features
61
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
53
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery power (400 per charge)
slow fps (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography details
54
environment proof
good resolution (15MP)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
71
good battery power (400 CIPA)
lighter than others (225g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
63
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (400 shots)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
9
lack of video recording
27
lighter than others (225g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony NEX-C3
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-04-10 2011-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 surface area 384.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4800 x 3200 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Sigma SA Sony E
Number of lenses 76 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 30 secs
Highest shutter speed - 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 790 grams (1.74 lb) 225 grams (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1083
Other
Battery life - 400 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $2,339 $343