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Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Revealed December 2010
  • Previous Model is Nikon D3000
  • Updated by Nikon D3200
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
  • Released April 2012
  • Superseded the Sigma SD1
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Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Nikon D3100 versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Nikon and Sigma. The resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D3100 was manufactured 15 months prior to the SD1 Merrill which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon D3100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the D3100 grades versus the SD1 Merrill with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 D3100 SD1 Merrill 

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Nikon D3100

 SD1 Merrill D3100 
ReleasedApril 2012December 2010More modern by 15 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 D3100 SD1 Merrill 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D3100 has physical measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) while 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).

Contrast the Nikon D3100 versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the D3100 compared to the SD1 Merrill.

Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and SD1 Merrill is 68 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through specs. The pic below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and SD1 Merrill.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sigma SD1 Merrill to provide extra detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged D3100 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 Portrait photography advice
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography advice
72
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW files
65
you can focus manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 Street photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography factors
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography information
60
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
61
good resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3100
Travel photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
58
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
54
weather sealing
good resolution (15 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
63
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging advice
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging advice
27
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic port
9
no video
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Nikon D3100 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Nikon D3100Sigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Company Nikon Sigma
Model Nikon D3100 Sigma SD1 Merrill
Category Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-12-21 2012-04-10
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 2 Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.1 x 15.4mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 355.7mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3072 4800 x 3200
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sigma SA
Total lenses 309 76
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs -
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505 gr (1.11 lbs) 790 gr (1.74 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 67 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 919 not tested
Other
Battery life 550 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL14 -
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots One One
Cost at release $565 $2,339