Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A65
57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51


64 Imaging
63 Features
85 Overall
71
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A65 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
- Older Model is Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
- Announced November 2011
- Renewed by Sony A68

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A65 Overview
On this page, we are contrasting the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A65, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Sigma and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and A65 (24MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The SD1 Merrill was unveiled 5 months later than the A65 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A65 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the SD1 Merrill matches up against the A65 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A65 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony SLT-A65. The full galleries are provided at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery and Sony A65 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A65
SD1 Merrill | A65 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
A65 | SD1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A65
SD1 Merrill | A65 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2012 | ![]() | November 2011 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Touch display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch display |
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Sigma SD1 Merrill provides outer measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) whilst the Sony A65 has sizing of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).
Examine the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A65 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SD1 Merrill and the A65.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 Merrill and A65 is 57 and 64 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing technical specs. The visual below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1 Merrill and A65.
As you can tell, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony A65 to produce more detail having an extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A65 Specifications
Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony SLT-A65 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sigma | Sony |
Model type | Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony SLT-A65 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2012-04-10 | 2011-11-15 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Dual True II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 24 x 16mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 384.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15MP | 24MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4800 x 3200 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 15 |
Cross type focus points | - | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Sigma SA | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 76 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | - | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | - | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 10.00 m |
Flash settings | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone 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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 790 gr (1.74 lb) | 622 gr (1.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") | 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 74 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 717 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 560 photos |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $2,339 | $700 |