• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Sony RX1R

  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Sony RX1R advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 5.00 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Fast startup
    ~1.70 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    35 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 220 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.27 vs 0.49 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 14.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
    5.1 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.2 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    15 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (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

  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Significantly sharper, more detailed JPEG images than those from the RX1; JPEG processing appears to minimize moire and aliasing artifacts; Same price as the RX1; Full-frame, 24-megapixel compact camera with fast Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 T* lens; Blazing fast autofocus; Impressive image quality that rivals (and sometimes surpasses) full-frame DSLRs.

  • More prone to moire, aliasing and false color than the RX1; Only subtle improvement in sharpness in RAW files; Fixed-length lens limits shooting flexibility; Viewfinders (optical or electronic) only available as optional accessories; Extremely expensive for a compact camera.

The Competition

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
Sony RX1R
Leica X2
  • $2598
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony RX1

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sony RX1
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Wider angle lens
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX1R
Sony RX1
  • $2598
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

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
Sony RX1R
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $2598
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sony RX1R II
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Wider angle lens
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX1R
Sony RX1R II
  • $2598
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Fujifilm X70
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Sony RX1R
Fujifilm X70
  • $2598
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
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