• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 75.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Sigma DP3 Merrill advantages over Sony A5000

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 4.25 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Sony A5000 advantages over Sigma DP3 Merrill

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 80 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
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 14.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 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
    16000 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.

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
  • 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
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5000

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Samsung NX1000
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony A5000
Samsung NX1000
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony NEX-3N
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony A5000
Sony NEX-3N
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More pixels
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Samsung NX1100
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony A5000
Samsung NX1100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony NEX-5T
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Sony A5000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A5100

Sigma DP3 Merrill
Sony A5100
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher-res screen
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
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