Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill
55 Imaging
50 Features
59 Overall
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57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51
Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D300 & Sigma SD1 Merrill. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon D300 Gallery & Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
D300 | SD1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+462k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Nikon D300
SD1 Merrill | D300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2012 | ![]() | March 2008 | More modern by 49 months |
Common features in the Nikon D300 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
D300 | SD1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications
Nikon D300 | Sigma 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 |