Sony A35 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Cameras
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Sony A35 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

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APS-C 365.0mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony A35 Review.

APS-C 369.0mm²
14.8 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sigma DP1 Merrill Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DP1 Merrill.

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Differences

Sony A35 advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

420 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
Less shutter lag
0.22 vs 0.49 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
5.5 fps vs 3.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
12 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Sony A35

Thinner
63 mm vs 84 mm
Thinner
Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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
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

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Buy the Sony A35

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Sigma DP1 Merrill

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A35.
Read our Sony A35 Initial Test

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 A55

Sony A35

Sony A55

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$734
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in GPS

Compare Sony A35 vs Sony A55

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Sony A55

$849
APS-C

Thinner
Doesn't require an AA filter

$734
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Sony A35

Sony A33

$567
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$540
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony A35 vs Sony A33

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Sony A33

$849
APS-C

Thinner
Doesn't require an AA filter

$540
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Sony A33

Compared to Leica X2

Sony A35

Leica X2

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$1499
APS-C

Thinner

Compare Sony A35 vs 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

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A35

Pentax K-5 IIs

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A35 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sigma DP1 Merrill

Pentax K-5 IIs

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$497
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sony A35

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$1534
APS-C

Thinner
Higher max flash sync

Compare Sony A35 vs 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)

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