Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sigma SD1

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1
      60
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      56
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      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 Sigma SD1, 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 Sigma SD1 was introduced in September 2010. 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

      Sigma SD1 Highlights

      • 15 MP APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) Sensor
      • No Optical Low-pass Filter
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sigma SD1
      4. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      5. Screen and Viewfinder
      6. Sensor
      7. Photography Features
      8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      9. Other Features
      10. Physical Parameters
      11. For Different Types of Photography
      12. Evaluations
      13. 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 Sigma SD1.

      PROS

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Environmental Sealing

      CONS

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      •   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
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   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


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

      AVERAGE

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      •   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)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)

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

      Sigma SD9
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      3 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

      Epson R-D1x
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      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 Sigma SD1

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

      Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sigma SD1
      Lower Min Shutter Speed [] vs 15 sec
      Built-in Flash vs

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

      Sigma SD10
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      3 MP

      Sigma SD14
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      5 MP

      Sigma SD15
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      5 MP

      Sigma SD9
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      3 MP

      Pentax K-01
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      APS-C

      16 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P1
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Fujifilm X-S20
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      26.1 MP

      Sony ZV-E1
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Samsung NX5
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      15 MP

      Samsung GX-1L
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6 MP

      Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
      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.

      STRENGTHS Sigma SD1 Merrill Sigma SD1
        Environmental Sealing
      WEAKNESSES Sigma SD1 Merrill Sigma SD1
        No Video Capture
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot460k 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

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sigma SD1 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 460k dot resolution.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. They both have 96% coverage and 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) 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. Sigma SD1 features a 15 megapixel APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 24 x 16 mm and a total area of 256 mm2. Its native ISO range is [].


      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

      Cameras are equipped with Dual TRUE II processor and can take pictures up to 4800 x 3200 resolution.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Sigma SA 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

      There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on either of the cameras. 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 Sigma SD1 nothing can be done. On Sigma SD1 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

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.


      External Storage Slots

      Sigma SD1 Merrill has a single CompactFlash (Type I, UDMA compatible) card slot. Sigma SD1 has a single Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to [] on Sigma SD1 Merrill, and up to 1/2000 sec on Sigma SD1. Sigma SD1 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Sigma SD1 Merrill has Sigma SD1 has 11 (2 cross-type) focusing points. Sigma SD1 Merrill has detection range from 0 to +18 EV.


      Flash

      Sigma SD1 has a built-in flash and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Sigma SD1 Merrill has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on Sigma SD1 Merrill.

      Physical Parameters

      Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sigma SD1 bodies have the same dimensions of 146 x 113 x 80 mm (5.75 x 4.45 x 3.15") and they both weigh 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz).

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      146 mm

      113 mm

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      146 mm

      113 mm

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      113 mm

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      113 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sigma SD1

      Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sigma SD1 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

      Sigma SD1

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

      Sports Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      POOR
      52
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps

      Wildlife Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      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
      65
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View

      Street Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      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
      75
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   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)

      Travel Photography

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      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
      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)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sigma SD1 and give them scores of 60 and 56 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

      Sigma SD1

      OVERALL
      60
      OVERALL
      56

      Sensor

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel

      Photo

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      POOR
      54
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps

      Video

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

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

      Focusing

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      GOOD
      79
      •   0 EV Min AF Detection
      •   No Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      GOOD
      71
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      GOOD
      71
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot

      Connectivity

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      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
      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

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sigma SD1 Merrill

      Sigma SD1

      GOOD
      77
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)
      GOOD
      77
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)


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

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