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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99

Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Old Model is Sigma SD1
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Announced December 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A900
  • Renewed by Sony A99 II
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Sigma and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and A99 (24MP) and the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) boast different sensor measurements.

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The SD1 Merrill was launched 8 months earlier than the A99 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SD1 Merrill grades against the A99 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony A99

 SD1 Merrill A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A99 SD1 Merrill 
AnnouncedDecember 2012April 2012Newer by 8 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k460kClearer display (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A99

 SD1 Merrill A99 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD1 Merrill has exterior measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has measurements of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Analyze the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A99 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SD1 Merrill versus the A99.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD1 Merrill and A99 is 57 and 57 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The picture here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1 Merrill and A99.

As you can plainly see, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SD1 Merrill due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A99 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged SD1 Merrill will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography info
Sony A99 Portrait photography info
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
82
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography info
Sony A99 Street photography info
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
75
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography info
Sony A99 Sports photography info
61
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography highlights
Sony A99 Travel photography highlights
54
environment proofing
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
60
environment sealing
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A99 as a Landscape photography camera
63
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
75
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
terrible battery (500 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
Sony A99 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
76
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone support
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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony A99
 Sigma SD1 MerrillSony SLT-A99
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD1 Merrill Sony SLT-A99
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-04-10 2012-12-12
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual True II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4800 x 3200 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 19
Cross focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 76 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 790 gr (1.74 pounds) 812 gr (1.79 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 89
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots One Two
Cost at launch $2,339 $1,998