Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A5100

Cameras
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Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A5100

APS-C 369.0mm²
14.8 megapixels
75.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sigma DP3 Merrill Review.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A5100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A5100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A5100.
Compare Sony A5100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A5100 conclusion.

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Differences

Sigma DP3 Merrill advantages over Sony A5100

Bigger pixels
~ 5.00 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher-res screen
307k vs 230k 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

Sony A5100 advantages over Sigma DP3 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
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

400 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
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
6.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
67 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
25 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

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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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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Read A5100 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sigma DP3 Merrill.
Read our Sigma DP3 Merrill Preview

Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.
Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.
Read our Sony A5100 Review

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

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1000

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$500
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1000

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

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1100

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

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

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5T

Sony A5100

Sony NEX-5T

$348
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Higher-res screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Sony A5000

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Sony A5000

$899
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Higher-res screen

$298
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Sony A5000

Sony A5100

Sony A5000

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Sigma DP3 Merrill

Canon EOS M3

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$429
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Sigma DP3 Merrill vs Canon EOS M3

Sony A5100

Canon EOS M3

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$429
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
External Mic Jack

Compare Sony A5100 vs Canon EOS M3

Compare Other Cameras?