Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560
57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51


96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 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
- Released April 2012
- Older Model is Sigma SD1
(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

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.

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.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560. The full galleries are available at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery and Sony W560 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony W560
SD1 Merrill | W560 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | More recent by 16 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W560 Specifications
Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony 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 |