Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Epson R-D1x

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x
      60
      Image cannot be found
      46
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sigma SD1 Merrill and the Epson R-D1x, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sigma SD1 Merrill was introduced in April 2012 and Epson R-D1x was introduced in February 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sigma SD1 Merrill Highlights

      • 15 MP APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) Sensor
      • No Optical Low-pass Filter
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Epson R-D1x Highlights

      • 6 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 200 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 2.5" 235k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (rangefinder) Viewfinder
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sigma SD1 Merrill
      4. Advantage of Epson R-D1x
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sigma SD1 Merrill and Epson R-D1x.

      PROS

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      •   Environmental Sealing

      CONS

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 235k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Weight - 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)

      Advantage of Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1 Merrill
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sigma SD1 Merrill over Epson R-D1x.

      Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Epson R-D1x
      Higher Sensor Resolution 15 Megapixel vs 6 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 1,600
      Max Image Resolution 4800 x 3200 vs 3008 x 2000
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 235k dot
      Manual Exposure Mode vs
      Shutter Priority vs
      Average Metering vs
      Environmental Sealing vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sigma SD1 Merrill.

      Sigma SD9
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      3 MP

      Sigma SD1
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      15 MP

      Sigma SD14
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      5 MP

      Sigma SD10
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      3 MP

      Sigma SD15
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      5 MP

      Canon 5DS
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Ricoh CX4
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      10 MP

      Samsung NX210
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.3 MP

      Sony TX20
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16.2 MP

      Canon 7D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Panasonic GX1
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Sony TX9
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.2 MP

      Advantage of Epson R-D1x

      Epson R-D1x
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Epson R-D1x over Sigma SD1 Merrill.

      Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Epson R-D1x
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed [] vs 1 sec
      Spot Metering vs
      Lighter 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz) vs 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Epson R-D1x.

      Epson R-D1
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6 MP

      Sigma SD10
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      3 MP

      Hasselblad X1D-50c
      Image cannot be found

      Medium format

      51 MP

      Canon 5D IV
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      30.4 MP

      Leica M11
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      60.3 MP

      Panasonic GM5
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Nikon S1200pj
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL3
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Nikon Z8
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Nikon D300S
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL5
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      OM System OM-5
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      20.4 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      WEAKNESSES Sigma SD1 Merrill Epson R-D1x
        No Video Capture
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot235k dot
        No Live View
        No HDMI Output
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sigma SD1 Merrill has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution and Epson R-D1x has a 2.5" screen with 235k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Sigma SD1 Merrill has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderEpson R-D1x has a built-in Optical (rangefinder) viewfinder. Sigma SD1 Merrill has 96% coverage with 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification and magnification.

      Sensor

      Sigma SD1 Merrill features a 15 megapixel APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 24 x 16 mm and a total area of 384 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400. Epson R-D1x features a 6 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Sigma SD1 Merrill is equipped with Dual TRUE II processor and can take pictures up to 4800 x 3200 resolution. Epson R-D1x can take pictures up to 3008 x 2000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2240 x 1488 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Sigma SD1 Merrill has Sigma SA lens mount and Epson R-D1x has Leica M lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      No Low-Pass Filter on Sigma SD1 Merrill

      There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Sigma SD1 Merrill. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Sigma SD1 Merrill it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Epson R-D1x nothing can be done. On Epson R-D1x it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sigma SD1 Merrill nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Sigma SD1 Merrill has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


      External Storage Slots

      Sigma SD1 Merrill has a single CompactFlash (Type I, UDMA compatible) card slot. Epson R-D1x has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to [] on Sigma SD1 Merrill, and up to 1/2000 sec on Epson R-D1x.


      Focusing

      Sigma SD1 Merrill has Epson R-D1x has . Sigma SD1 Merrill has detection range from 0 to +18 EV.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe to Sigma SD1 Merrill. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on Sigma SD1 Merrill.

      Physical Parameters

      Sigma SD1 Merrill body has dimensions of 146 x 113 x 80 mm (5.75 x 4.45 x 3.15") and Epson R-D1x body has dimensions of 142 x 89 x 40 mm (5.59 x 3.5 x 1.57"). Sigma SD1 Merrill weighs 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz) and Epson R-D1x weighs 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz).

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      146 mm

      113 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      142 mm

      89 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Sigma SD1 Merrill and Epson R-D1x

      Sigma SD1 Merrill and Epson R-D1x for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      GOOD
      74
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 235k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      POOR
      53
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 235k dot
      •   No Live View

      Wildlife Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      50
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 235k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 235k dot
      •   No Live View

      Street Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      GOOD
      77
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)
      GOOD
      76
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 235k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      GOOD
      80
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)
      GOOD
      78
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 235k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sigma SD1 Merrill and Epson R-D1x and give them scores of 60 and 46 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      OVERALL
      60
      OVERALL
      46

      Sensor

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      POOR
      53
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec

      Video

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      GOOD
      79
      •   0 EV Min AF Detection
      •   No Face Detection
      POOR
      47
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      GOOD
      71
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 235k dot

      Connectivity

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      26
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Epson R-D1x

      GOOD
      77
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

      Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
      ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.