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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37 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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Replaced the Sigma SD1
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced May 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony A35
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A37, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the A37 (16MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The SD1 Merrill was announced at a similar time to the A37 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SD1 Merrill grades versus the A37 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A37

 SD1 Merrill A37 
Display sizing3"2.6"Larger display (+0.4")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A37 SD1 Merrill 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A37

 SD1 Merrill A37 
IntroducedApril 2012May 2012Similar age
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. 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) whilst the Sony A37 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

See the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A37 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SD1 Merrill versus the A37.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and A37 is 57 and 67 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading specifications. The pic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD1 Merrill and A37.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A37 to offer you extra detail with its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics far more aggressively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography details
Sony A37 Portrait photography details
65
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography factors
Sony A37 Street photography factors
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
77
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography details
Sony A37 Sports photography details
61
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
Travel photography with Sony A37
54
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
54
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A37 as a Landscape photography camera
63
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
64
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.6 inch)
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging advice
Sony A37 Vlogging advice
9
can't shoot video
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic support
display is not selfie friendly
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A37
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony SLT-A37
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony SLT-A37
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-04-10 2012-05-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual True II -
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4800 x 3200 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 76 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.6 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed - 30 seconds
Max shutter speed - 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, 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 grams (1.74 pounds) 506 grams (1.12 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 799
Other
Battery life - 500 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $2,339 $522