Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W230
57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
- Revealed April 2012
- Succeeded the Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Revealed February 2009

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Overview
The following is a in-depth comparison of the Sigma SD1 Merrill versus Sony W230, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Sigma and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and W230 (12MP) and the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor measurements.

The SD1 Merrill was launched 3 years after the W230 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.
Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief view of how the SD1 Merrill matches up against the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Sigma SD1 Merrill & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The complete galleries are provided at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony W230
SD1 Merrill | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 39 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
W230 | SD1 Merrill |
---|
Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony W230
SD1 Merrill | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sigma SD1 Merrill provides exterior measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) while the Sony W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Check out the Sigma SD1 Merrill versus Sony W230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SD1 Merrill and the W230.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and W230 is 57 and 95 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through a spec sheet. The pic underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1 Merrill and W230.
Clearly, both the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SD1 Merrill because of its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Sigma SD1 Merrill will show extra detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The younger SD1 Merrill is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W230 Specifications
Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sigma | Sony |
Model | Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2012-04-10 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Dual True II | - |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 24 x 16mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 384.0mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4800 x 3200 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Sigma SA | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | - | 4cm |
Available lenses | 76 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | - | 1s |
Max shutter speed | - | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 3.90 m |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 640x480 |
Video file format | - | Motion JPEG |
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 790g (1.74 pounds) | 156g (0.34 pounds) |
Dimensions | 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $2,339 | $180 |