Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15
54 Imaging
73 Features
80 Overall
75
![Nikon D800 front Nikon D800 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-D800/Nikon-D800-front.jpg)
![Sigma SD15 front Sigma SD15 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sigma-SD15/Sigma-SD15-front.jpg)
59 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44
Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Launched June 2012
- Replaced the Nikon D700
- Successor is Nikon D810
(Full Review)
- 5MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
- Revealed February 2010
- Older Model is Sigma SD14
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon D800 and Sigma SD15, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sigma. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and SD15 (5MP) and the D800 (Full frame) and SD15 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
The D800 was released 2 years later than the SD15 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple summation of how the D800 scores vs the SD15 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D800 and Sigma SD15. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D800 Gallery and Sigma SD15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Sigma SD15
D800 | SD15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2012 | ![]() | February 2010 | Fresher by 29 months |
Display size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Nikon D800
SD15 | D800 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D800 and Sigma SD15
D800 | SD15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D800 provides outer dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD15 has sizing of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon D800 and Sigma SD15 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the D800 versus the SD15.
![Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D800-vs-Sigma-SD15-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the D800 and SD15 is 54 and 59 respectively.
![Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D800-vs-Sigma-SD15-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D800 and SD15.
As you can plainly see, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D800 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Nikon D800 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 31MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The fresher D800 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
![Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-D800-vs-Sigma-SD15-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D800-vs-Sigma-SD15-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD15 Specifications
Nikon D800 | Sigma SD15 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sigma |
Model | Nikon D800 | Sigma SD15 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2012-06-11 | 2010-02-20 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed 3 | True II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS (Foveon X3) |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 20.7 x 13.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 861.6mm² | 285.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36MP | 5MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 5:4 and 3:2 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 2640 x 1760 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 51 | - |
Cross focus points | 15 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Sigma SA |
Available lenses | 309 | 76 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.7 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 921 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 96% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.6x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 900g (1.98 lbs) | 750g (1.65 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") | 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") |
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 images | - |
Form 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 (10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant | SD/SDHC card |
Card slots | Dual | Single |
Price at release | $2,999 | $1,500 |