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Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800E front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Nikon D800E
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon D700
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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sigma SD1
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Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Nikon D800E versus Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sigma. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the D800E (36MP) and SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the D800E (Full frame) and SD1 Merrill (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.

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The D800E was brought out 3 months later than the SD1 Merrill which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the D800E matches up versus the SD1 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 D800E SD1 Merrill 
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Nikon D800E

 SD1 Merrill D800E 

Common features in the Nikon D800E and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 D800E SD1 Merrill 
RevealedJune 2012April 2012Similar age
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D800E provides external measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 Merrill has proportions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D800E versus Sigma SD1 Merrill in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the D800E against the SD1 Merrill.

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D800E and SD1 Merrill is 54 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements just by checking specifications. The visual here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D800E and SD1 Merrill.

To sum up, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The D800E due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Nikon D800E will resolve more detail having its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800E Portrait photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography highlights
83
you can focus manually
great MP (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800E Street photography advice
Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography advice
60
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800E Sports photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography highlights
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
great MP (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
61
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800E Travel photography information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography information
66
environment proof
great MP (36MP)
flash built-in
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
54
environment proofing
resolution is good (15MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800E Landscape photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
great MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
saves RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
63
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3")
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800E Vlogging info
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging info
30
features face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800E and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Nikon D800ESigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sigma
Model Nikon D800E Sigma SD1 Merrill
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-06-11 2012-04-10
Physical type 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 36MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 -
Highest resolution 7360 x 4912 4800 x 3200
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 51 -
Cross focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount 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 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs -
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 900 gr (1.98 pounds) 790 gr (1.74 pounds)
Physical 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 All around score 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 2979 not tested
Other
Battery life 900 pictures -
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
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots Dual Single
Retail pricing $2,389 $2,339