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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 Key Specs

Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Older Model is Sigma SD1
Sony W560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony W560, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the W560 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and W560 (1/2.3") come with different sensor size.

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The SD1 Merrill was revealed 16 months later than the W560 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony W560 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SD1 Merrill scores versus the W560 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony W560

 SD1 Merrill W560 
LaunchedApril 2012January 2011More recent by 16 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W560 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 W560 SD1 Merrill 

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony W560

 SD1 Merrill W560 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sigma SD1 Merrill enjoys external dimensions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) while the Sony W560 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Contrast the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony W560 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SD1 Merrill against the W560.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SD1 Merrill and W560 is 57 and 96 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements merely by going through specifications. The visual below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1 Merrill and W560.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SD1 Merrill having a bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Sigma SD1 Merrill will show more detail because of its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The fresher SD1 Merrill provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography details
Sony W560 Portrait photography details
65
manual focus
megapixel count decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Street photography with Sony W560
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
Sony W560 as a Sports photography camera
61
megapixel count decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography details
Sony W560 Travel photography details
54
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
Sony W560 Landscape photography highlights
63
manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
42
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging features
Sony W560 Vlogging features
9
no video recording
29
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony W560
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
Type Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Released 2012-04-10 2011-01-06
Body design Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Dual True II BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4800 x 3200 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Sigma SA fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 76 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed - 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.80 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 790g (1.74 lbs) 110g (0.24 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $2,339 $139