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Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Sigma SD1 front
Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50

Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Superseded the Nikon D300S
Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Revealed September 2010
  • Successor is Sigma SD1 Merrill
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Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sigma. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and SD1 (15MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D500 was unveiled 5 years later than the SD1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the D500 matches up vs the SD1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Sigma SD1

 D500 SD1 
RevealedJanuary 2016September 2010Fresher by 65 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k460kSharper display (+1899k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Nikon D500

 SD1 D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Sigma SD1

 D500 SD1 
Manually focus More precise focus
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D500 comes with exterior measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD1 has dimensions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the D500 against the SD1.

Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and SD1 is 56 and 77 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D500 and SD1.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Nikon D500 to give greater detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The newer D500 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 Portrait photography information
Sigma SD1 Portrait photography information
79
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
65
focusing manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography info
Sigma SD1 Street photography info
68
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
62
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (0)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Sports photography camera
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery life (1,240 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
56
good resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max frames per second very slow (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 Travel photography factors
Sigma SD1 Travel photography factors
68
great battery life (1,240 CIPA)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
environment proof
good resolution (15MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography information
Sigma SD1 Landscape photography information
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery life (1,240 shots)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
61
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (0)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging info
Sigma SD1 Vlogging info
31
touch screen
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
9
can't record video
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Nikon D500 vs Sigma SD1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Sigma SD1
 Nikon D500Sigma SD1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sigma
Model Nikon D500 Sigma SD1
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2016-01-05 2010-09-21
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5 Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4800 x 3200
Max native ISO 51200 -
Max enhanced ISO 1640000 -
Lowest native ISO 100 -
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 153 11
Cross focus points 99 2
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sigma SA
Number of lenses 309 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,359k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 860 gr (1.90 lbs) -
Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 84 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1324 not tested
Other
Battery life 1240 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL15 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail pricing $1,497 $2,339