• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Sony A37

  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A37 advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $2299 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 4.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    3 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • 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
    0.11 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More AF points
    15 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.5 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma SD1 Merrill

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon 50D

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Canon 50D
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Sony A37
Canon 50D
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D300S

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D300S
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Sony A37
Nikon D300S
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A57

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony A57
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • Faster shutter
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Sony A37
Sony A57
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Sony A37
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D500

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D500
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A37
Nikon D500
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
Compare Other Cameras?