• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sigma SD1 Merrill
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A77
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Sony A77 II
A77 vs A77 II
General
Model Number: SD1 Merrill A77
Alternate Model Number(s): SD1  
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: Yes No
Retail Price: $2299.00 $1999.99
Street Price: $8,492.13 $1,899.00
Date Available: 2011-06-01 2011-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 28.1 oz (796 g)
includes batteries
48.1 oz (1,363 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.7 x 4.5 x 3.1 in.
(146 x 114 x 80 mm)
5.6 x 4.1 x 3.2 in.
(143 x 104 x 81 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 24.3
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.00 microns 3.95 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
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:   78
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   24.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   13.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   801
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)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 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 (EXIF 2.3), MPO (3D), 12-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.1 11.6
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​28Mbps/​PS or 60i/​24Mbps/​FX or 60i/​17Mbps/​FH or 24p/​24Mbps/​FX or 24p/​17Mbps/​FH)
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
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 16-50mm f/2.8 DT SSM (SAL1650)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 26 - 75mm 24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 17 - 50mm 16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 2.90x 3.13x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 - f/22 (W/T) f/2.8 - f/22 (W/T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 77.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 1.4x / 2x
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: 19 points (11 points cross type); Wide (auto, 19 points), Zone, 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; 1.3cm (0.5") 2,359K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 1.09x mag., 22mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.95x 1.09x
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 (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom:   13.6x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 16000
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 Auto (100-12800 with selectable limits), 50 (expanded), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000. (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 WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, AWB micro adjustment
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 77-segment Evaluative, Center-Weighted Average, Center Area, Spot Metering; EV 1 to 20 (50mm F1.4 : ISO100) 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10 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 (with external flash), Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.0 m / 36.1 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent. GN=12(m) at ISO 100; Range is lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/250
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 Proprietary Hot Shoe, PC Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG 12-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
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 or Wired
Connections (extended): Wired Remote, DC Input jacks Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.78 0.42
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.78 0.42
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 7 5
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.42
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.1 11.6
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 7 17
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.6
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   14
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   13
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.38 seconds 0.12 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 0.085 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.52 seconds 0.33 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.088 seconds 0.054 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus Lag: Auto Area AF = 0.466s Full AF, Wide-area mode = 0.119s
Startup Time: 4.5 seconds 0.8 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.5 seconds 1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   3.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   530 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   470 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-21 Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-21 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Sigma Photo Pro 5.0 Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4)
OS Compatibility:   Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only
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. SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, 1080p HD Video, Auto+, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, Picture Effect, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 12fps Burst Mode, Built-in GPS.