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Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
88
Imaging
58
Features
48
Overall
54
Nikon Coolpix A front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Nikon A
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8) lens
  • 299g - 111 x 64 x 40mm
  • Released June 2013
Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Superseded the Sigma SD1
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Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Nikon A versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Nikon and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the A (16MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is very well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The A was manufactured 15 months later than the SD1 Merrill making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon A being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the A grades vs the SD1 Merrill when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon A over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A SD1 Merrill 
ReleasedJune 2013April 2012More recent by 15 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Nikon A

 SD1 Merrill A 

Common features in the Nikon A and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 A SD1 Merrill 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon A has external measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.6") having a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs) and the Sigma SD1 Merrill has specifications of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Examine the Nikon A versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the A compared to the SD1 Merrill.

Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A and SD1 Merrill is 88 and 57 respectively.

Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements only by reading through a spec sheet. The visual here might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A and SD1 Merrill.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Nikon A to give you extra detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern A should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon A Portrait photography advice
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography advice
74
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
65
you can focus manually
MP count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon A
Street photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
71
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (299g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
57
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon A Sports photography details
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography details
47
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
focal length is fixed (28mm)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (230 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
61
MP count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon A Travel photography features
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography features
63
lighter than others in class (299g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
54
weather proof
MP count decent (15MP)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon A Landscape photography info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography info
54
has manual focus
screen size is decent (3")
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
63
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon A Vlogging highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging highlights
31
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (299g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon A vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon A and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Nikon Coolpix ASigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Company Nikon Sigma
Model Nikon Coolpix A Sigma SD1 Merrill
Class Large Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-06-06 2012-04-10
Body design Large Sensor Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 370.5mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4800 x 3200
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sigma SA
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Total lenses - 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds -
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 11.50 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 299 gr (0.66 lbs) 790 gr (1.74 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.6") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1164 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL20 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $778 $2,339