Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX30

In this article, we are looking at the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX30, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the TX30 (18MP) is fairly close but the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and TX30 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

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The SD1 Merrill was brought out 15 months earlier than the TX30 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony TX30 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SD1 Merrill matches up against the TX30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sigma SD1 Merrill & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30. The entire galleries are viewable at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery & Sony TX30 Gallery.

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Sigma SD1 Merrill comes with outer dimensions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) whilst the Sony TX30 has specifications of 96mm x 59mm x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check the Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the SD1 Merrill and the TX30.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SD1 Merrill and TX30 is 57 and 96 respectively.

Often, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The visual here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1 Merrill and TX30.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SD1 Merrill because of its larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Sony TX30 will render extra detail having its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older SD1 Merrill will be behind with regard to sensor tech.