• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Sony NEX-5R

  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Sony NEX-5R advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sigma DP1 Merrill

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-5R
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All NEX-5R Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Exceptionally detailed and uniquely beautiful image quality at low ISOs; Fast, sharp 28mm-equivalent lens; Simple, straightforward controls match camera's simple, straightforward (street photography) goals.

  • Fixed-focal-length lens; Image quality deteriorates significantly at ISO 800 and above; Overall sluggish performer; Falls short when capturing JPEGs; Terrible VGA-only video quality; Very poor battery life; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Sigma DP1 Merrill Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sony NEX-5N
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5N
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Leica X2

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X2
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Leica X2

Sony NEX-5R
Leica X2
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Leica X2

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Canon EOS M
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Canon EOS M

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sony NEX-5R
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Fujifilm X70
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Fujifilm X70

Sony NEX-5R
Fujifilm X70
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Fujifilm X70

Compare Other Cameras?