Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD15
54 Imaging
72 Features
80 Overall
75


59 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44
Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD15 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Introduced June 2012
- Replaced the Nikon D700
(Full Review)
- 5MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
- Announced February 2010
- Previous Model is Sigma SD14

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD15 Overview
On this page, we will be analyzing the Nikon D800E versus Sigma SD15, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sigma. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the D800E (36MP) and SD15 (5MP) and the D800E (Full frame) and SD15 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

The D800E was released 2 years after the SD15 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the D800E grades versus the SD15 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD15 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D800E and Sigma SD15. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D800E Gallery and Sigma SD15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Sigma SD15
D800E | SD15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2012 | ![]() | February 2010 | Newer by 29 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Nikon D800E
SD15 | D800E |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D800E and Sigma SD15
D800E | SD15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D800E comes with exterior dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") along with a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) while the Sigma SD15 has dimensions of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") along with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).
Check the Nikon D800E versus Sigma SD15 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the D800E versus the SD15.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D800E and SD15 is 54 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison
Usually, its hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D800E and SD15.
Clearly, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The D800E featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Nikon D800E will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 31MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent D800E will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800E vs Sigma SD15 Specifications
Nikon D800E | Sigma SD15 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sigma |
Model type | Nikon D800E | Sigma SD15 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2012-06-11 | 2010-02-20 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | 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 | 36 megapixel | 5 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 5:4 and 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 2640 x 1760 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Max enhanced ISO | 25600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Min enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 51 | - |
Cross type focus points | 15 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Sigma SA |
Total lenses | 309 | 76 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.7 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 921k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
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 | 0.6x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/250 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 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | - |
Max 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 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 900 grams (1.98 lb) | 750 grams (1.65 lb) |
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 rating | 96 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 25.6 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 2979 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 900 photos | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | 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 feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | Dual | One |
Price at release | $2,389 | $1,500 |