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Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1

Portability
60
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Nikon D90 front
 
Sigma SD1 front
Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Key Specs

Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Previous Model is Nikon D80
  • Successor is Nikon D7000
Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Launched September 2010
  • Replacement is Sigma SD1 Merrill
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Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Nikon D90 and Sigma SD1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sigma. The image resolution of the D90 (12MP) and the SD1 (15MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D90 was released 23 months earlier than the SD1 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the D90 scores against the SD1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Sigma SD1

 D90 SD1 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Nikon D90

 SD1 D90 
LaunchedSeptember 2010October 2008More recent by 23 months

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Sigma SD1

 D90 SD1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D90 provides external measurements of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") along with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 has specifications of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D90 and Sigma SD1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the D90 vs the SD1.

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D90 and SD1 is 60 and 77 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading specifications. The visual here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D90 and SD1.

To sum up, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sigma SD1 to deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older D90 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D90 Portrait photography information
Sigma SD1 Portrait photography information
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
65
has manual focus
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D90
Street photography with Sigma SD1
54
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
62
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
maximum ISO low (0)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Sports photography camera
46
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
56
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max fps low (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 Travel photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Travel photography highlights
44
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
65
environment proof
good MP (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 Landscape photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Landscape photography highlights
58
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
maximum ISO low (0)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D90
Vlogging with Sigma SD1
21
supports face detect autofocus
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
9
no video
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Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Sigma SD1
 Nikon D90Sigma SD1
General Information
Company Nikon Sigma
Model Nikon D90 Sigma SD1
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-10-13 2010-09-21
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 4800 x 3200
Maximum native ISO 3200 -
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 -
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 2
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sigma SA
Available lenses 309 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.5fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 703g (1.55 pounds) -
Physical dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 977 not tested
Other
Battery life 850 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL3e -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $1,199 $2,339