Clicky

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650 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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sigma SD1
Sony W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony W650, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the W650 (16MP) is very comparable but the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and W650 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SD1 Merrill was introduced 4 months later than the W650 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony W650 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the SD1 Merrill matches up against the W650 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony W650

 SD1 Merrill W650 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 W650 SD1 Merrill 

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony W650

 SD1 Merrill W650 
LaunchedApril 2012January 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Sigma SD1 Merrill provides external dimensions 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 W650 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Examine the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony W650 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SD1 Merrill vs the W650.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD1 Merrill and W650 is 57 and 96 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by seeing specifications. The graphic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD1 Merrill and W650.

Plainly, each of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SD1 Merrill using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Sony W650 will produce greater detail using its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W650 as a Portrait photography camera
65
you can focus manually
MP count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography info
Sony W650 Street photography info
57
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (124 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
Sony W650 as a Sports photography camera
61
MP count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Travel photography with Sony W650
54
environment proof
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than average in class (124 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography advice
Sony W650 Landscape photography advice
63
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
Sony W650 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (124g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony W650
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-04-10 2012-01-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual True II BIONZ
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 15 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4800 x 3200 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 76 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed - 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.70 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 790 gr (1.74 lbs) 124 gr (0.27 lbs)
Physical 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 life - 220 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $2,339 $140