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Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Old Model is Nikon D700
  • Replacement is Nikon D810
Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Replaced the Sigma SD1
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Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Nikon D800 versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sigma. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the D800 (Full frame) and SD1 Merrill (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The D800 was revealed 3 months later than the SD1 Merrill so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the D800 grades vs the SD1 Merrill in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 D800 SD1 Merrill 
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Nikon D800

 SD1 Merrill D800 

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 D800 SD1 Merrill 
ReleasedJune 2012April 2012Similar age
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D800 provides outer measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 Merrill has specifications 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 D800 versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the D800 and the SD1 Merrill.

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D800 and SD1 Merrill is 54 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The graphic here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D800 and SD1 Merrill.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The D800 having a larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Nikon D800 will offer greater detail because of its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos far more aggressively.

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800 Portrait photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography factors
83
you can focus manually
megapixel count fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
65
has manual focus
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D800
Street photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
60
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800 Sports photography details
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography details
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
megapixel count fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
61
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800 Travel photography factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography factors
66
weather proof
megapixel count fantastic (36MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
54
environment proof
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800 Landscape photography info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography info
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
megapixel count fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
no image stabilization
63
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 Vlogging factors
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging factors
30
has face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Nikon D800Sigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sigma
Model Nikon D800 Sigma SD1 Merrill
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-06-11 2012-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 -
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 4800 x 3200
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 51 -
Cross focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sigma SA
Number of lenses 309 76
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s -
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s -
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 900 gr (1.98 pounds) 790 gr (1.74 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 95 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 2853 not tested
Other
Battery life 900 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL15 -
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots Dual 1
Retail price $2,999 $2,339