Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A35 Specifications

APS-C 369.0mm²
14.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Sigma SD1 Merrill Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SD1 Merrill.

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A35 Review.

Detailed specifications
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony Alpha SLT-A35

Links
Prices:	Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:
Successor:
General
Model Number:	SD1 Merrill	A35
Alternate Model Number(s):	SD1
Camera Format:	Pro SLR	SLR
Currently Manufactured:	Yes	No
Retail Price:	$2299.00	$699.99
Street Price:	$8,492.13	$567.17
Date Available:	2011-06-01	2011-08-31
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	28.1 oz (796 g) includes batteries	24.5 oz (694 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Size:	5.7 x 4.5 x 3.1 in. (146 x 114 x 80 mm)	4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in. (124 x 92 x 85 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Foveon X3	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	14.8	16.2
Sensor Format:	APS-C	APS-C
Sensor size:	368.95mm² (23.50mm x 15.70mm)	365.04mm² (23.40mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	5.00 microns	4.76 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.5x	1.5x
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type:	Full Color	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Not needed	Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	No	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	No	Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:		74
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):		23.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):		12.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):		763
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	4704 x 3136 (14.8 MP, 3:2), 3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2), 2336 x 1568 (3.7 MP, Other)	4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2), 4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9), 3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other), 3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9), 2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other), 2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other), 2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other), 7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other), 4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format:	JPEG, RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG	JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second:	4.1	5.5
Video Capture
Can take movies:	No	Yes
Movie Resolution:		1920x1080 (60i) 1440x1080 (30) 640x480 (30)
Movie File Format:		AVCHD, MP4
Composite Video Out:	Yes	No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	Yes	n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder:	No	n/a
HD Video Out:	No	Yes
HD Video Connection:		HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Sigma SA bayonet	Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens:	Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM	Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	26 - 75mm	27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):	17 - 50mm	18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:	2.90x	3.00x
Aperture Range:	f/2.8 - f/22 (W/T)	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	28 cm to Infinity 11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:
Filter Thread:	77.0mm	55.0mm
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	Yes	No
Digital Zoom:	No	No
Digital Zoom Values:	n/a	n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Phase-detection with 11-point Twin Cross AF Sensor; Single AF, Continuous AF (with AF motion prediction function), Manual	Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local.
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	Optical / LCD (playback only)	EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	SLR type; Pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.95x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -3 to +1.5 diopter	EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.15M-dot LCD (380K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.1x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter
Focus Peaking:	No	No
EVF Resolution:	n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.63x	0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	0.95x	1.10x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	460,000 dots	921,600 dots
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	No
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No	No
Selfie Screen:	No	No
Max Playback Zoom:		11.8x
Top Deck Display:	No	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	6400	12800
Minimum ISO (native):	100	100
ISO Settings:	100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash and Custom	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range:	1/8000 - 30 sec	1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	77-segment Evaluative, Center-Weighted Average, Center Area, Spot Metering; EV 1 to 20 (50mm F1.4 : ISO100)	49-zone Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:		Portrait, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait, Picture Effect, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D)
Self Timer:	2 or 10 seconds	2, 10; 3 or 5 after 10 sec seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	Yes
Flash Modes:	S-TTL (17mm lens angle covered)	Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	11.0 m / 36.1 ft.	10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description:	Lens aperture dependent.	Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync:	1/180	1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:	+/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket	Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:		Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	CF1	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	Yes
Uncompressed Format:	RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG	RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:		AVCHD, MP4
Included Memory:	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:	No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	No	Yes
Headphone Jack:	No	No
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant:	No	Yes
DPOF Compliant:	No	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Optional RS-31 IR Wireless, CR-21 Wired	Optional Wireless (RMT-DSLR1) or Wired (RM-S1AM/RM-L1AM)
Connections (extended):	Wired Remote, DC Input jacks	Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	0.78	0.53
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	0.78	0.54
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):	7	8
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	Yes	No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	4.1	5.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	7	12
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):	0.38 seconds	0.22 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.244 seconds	0.217 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):	0.52 seconds	0.48 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.088 seconds	0.102 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):	Full Autofocus Lag: Auto Area AF = 0.466s	Wide-area full AF lag = 0.214s
Startup Time:	4.5 seconds	0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.5 seconds	0.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:		3.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):		420 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary BP-21	Proprietary NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium-ion rechargeable	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary BP-21 Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software:	Sigma Photo Pro 5.0	Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR)
OS Compatibility:		Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	46-megapixel 23.5 x 15.7mm APS-C full-color sensor, weather-resistant magnesium alloy body, dual "TRUE II" image processing engines, 11-point Twin Cross AF sensor, CompactFlash Type 1 with UDMA support.	Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization, 1080i HD Video, Auto+, Picture Effects, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 5.5fps Full-res Burst Mode (7fps in Cropped "Telezoom" 8MP Mode).