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Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15

Portability
66
Imaging
55
Features
81
Overall
65
Nikon D5100 front
 
Sigma SD15 front
Portability
59
Imaging
43
Features
45
Overall
43

Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Introduced April 2011
  • Replaced the Nikon D5000
  • New Model is Nikon D5200
Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Launched February 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sigma SD14
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Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Nikon and Sigma. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the D5100 (16MP) and SD15 (5MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D5100 was revealed 15 months later than the SD15 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon D5100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sigma SD15 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the D5100 matches up vs the SD15 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sigma SD15

 D5100 SD15 
LaunchedApril 2011February 2010More recent by 15 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Nikon D5100

 SD15 D5100 

Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sigma SD15

 D5100 SD15 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D5100 has physical dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Sigma SD15 has specifications of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

See the Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the D5100 vs the SD15.

Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D5100 and SD15 is 66 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing specifications. The visual here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D5100 and SD15.

Plainly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon D5100 to show extra detail because of its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher D5100 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5100
Portrait photography with Sigma SD15
73
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
49
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 Street photography features
Sigma SD15 Street photography features
67
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5100 Sports photography features
Sigma SD15 Sports photography features
63
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (660 shots)
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5100
Travel photography with Sigma SD15
77
better than average battery power (660 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
42
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (5MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5100 Landscape photography features
Sigma SD15 Landscape photography features
72
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (660 shots)
lack of image stabilization
50
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
good sized screen (3")
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 Vlogging factors
Sigma SD15 Vlogging factors
69
display is selfie friendly
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic port
lack of image stabilization
9
no video
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Nikon D5100 vs Sigma SD15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Sigma SD15
 Nikon D5100Sigma SD15
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sigma
Model Nikon D5100 Sigma SD15
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-04-26 2010-02-20
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 2 True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor surface area 370.5mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 5 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 2640 x 1760
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sigma SA
Available lenses 309 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.7
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.6x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4 -
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560 grams (1.23 pounds) 750 grams (1.65 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 1183 not tested
Other
Battery life 660 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL14 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $0 $1,500