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Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
55
Imaging
50
Features
59
Overall
53
Nikon D300 front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Revealed March 2008
  • Old Model is Nikon D200
  • New Model is Nikon D300S
Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Replaced the Sigma SD1
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Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Nikon D300 and Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sigma. The image resolution of the D300 (12MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is pretty comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D300 was introduced 5 years before the SD1 Merrill which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the D300 grades versus the SD1 Merrill in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 D300 SD1 Merrill 
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Nikon D300

 SD1 Merrill D300 
AnnouncedApril 2012March 2008More modern by 49 months

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 D300 SD1 Merrill 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D300 provides outer measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) and the Sigma SD1 Merrill has sizing of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D300 and Sigma SD1 Merrill in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the D300 against the SD1 Merrill.

Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D300 and SD1 Merrill is 55 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The picture here should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D300 and SD1 Merrill.

As you can tell, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sigma SD1 Merrill to produce more detail using its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged D300 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 Portrait photography features
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography features
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300 Street photography features
Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography features
55
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography advice
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography advice
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather sealing
good battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
61
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography advice
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography advice
56
good battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
weather sealing
flash built-in
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
54
environment proofing
MP count good (15MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
64
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
good battery pack (1,000 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
63
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging details
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging details
9
lack of video recording
9
no video shooting
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Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Nikon D300Sigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Brand Nikon Sigma
Model Nikon D300 Sigma SD1 Merrill
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-03-12 2012-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 51 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sigma SA
Available lenses 309 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs -
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 925g (2.04 lbs) 790g (1.74 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 67 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 679 not tested
Other
Battery life 1000 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL3e -
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $1,100 $2,339