Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD9
54 Imaging
72 Features
80 Overall
75


54 Imaging
38 Features
27 Overall
33
Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD9 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Introduced June 2012
- Superseded the Nikon D700
- Later Model is Nikon D810
(Full Review)
- 3MP - APS-C Sensor
- 1.8" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 400
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
- Released November 2002
- Successor is Sigma SD10

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD9 Overview
Following is a extensive analysis of the Nikon D800 and Sigma SD9, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sigma. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and SD9 (3MP) and the D800 (Full frame) and SD9 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

The D800 was revealed 9 years after the SD9 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the D800 grades versus the SD9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD9 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D800 & Sigma SD9. The full galleries are provided at Nikon D800 Gallery & Sigma SD9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Sigma SD9
D800 | SD9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2012 | ![]() | November 2002 | More modern by 117 months |
Screen dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 1.8" | Bigger screen (+1.4") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 130k | Sharper screen (+791k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Nikon D800
SD9 | D800 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D800 and Sigma SD9
D800 | SD9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD9 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D800 provides external dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) and the Sigma SD9 has proportions of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon D800 and Sigma SD9 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the D800 compared to the SD9.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D800 and SD9 is 54 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD9 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by researching technical specs. The image here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D800 and SD9.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The D800 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Nikon D800 will result in more detail because of its extra 33MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more recent D800 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 vs Sigma SD9 Specifications
Nikon D800 | Sigma SD9 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sigma |
Model | Nikon D800 | Sigma SD9 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2012-06-11 | 2002-11-26 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed 3 | - |
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 | 36 megapixel | 3 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 5:4 and 3:2 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 2268 x 1512 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 400 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 51 | - |
Cross focus points | 15 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon F | Sigma SA |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 76 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.7 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3.2 inches | 1.8 inches |
Screen resolution | 921k dot | 130k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 98 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.77x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync | - |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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 input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 900g (1.98 lbs) | 950g (2.09 lbs) |
Dimensions | 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") | 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" 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 photographs | - |
Type 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 | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant | Compact Flash Type I or II |
Storage slots | 2 | 1 |
Launch cost | $2,999 | $3,001 |