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Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
60
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Nikon D90 front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Replaced the Nikon D80
  • Renewed by Nikon D7000
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
  • Released April 2012
  • Replaced the Sigma SD1
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Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Nikon D90 and Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sigma. The resolution of the D90 (12MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is fairly similar and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D90 was brought out 4 years earlier than the SD1 Merrill which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the D90 scores vs the SD1 Merrill in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 D90 SD1 Merrill 
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Nikon D90

 SD1 Merrill D90 
ReleasedApril 2012October 2008Newer by 42 months

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 D90 SD1 Merrill 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D90 comes with exterior 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 Merrill has sizing of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D90 and Sigma SD1 Merrill in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the D90 and the SD1 Merrill.

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D90 and SD1 Merrill is 60 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D90 and SD1 Merrill.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sigma SD1 Merrill to deliver more detail having its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged D90 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D90
Portrait photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
63
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
65
focusing manually
good megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D90 Street photography information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Street photography information
54
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 Sports photography information
Sigma SD1 Merrill Sports photography information
46
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.5 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
61
good megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 Travel photography details
Sigma SD1 Merrill Travel photography details
44
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
weather proof
good megapixels (15MP)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Landscape photography camera
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
63
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 Vlogging details
Sigma SD1 Merrill Vlogging details
21
features face detection focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D90 vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Nikon D90Sigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Make Nikon Sigma
Model type Nikon D90 Sigma SD1 Merrill
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-10-13 2012-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 4800 x 3200
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sigma SA
Number of lenses 309 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds -
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703g (1.55 pounds) 790g (1.74 pounds)
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 All around rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 977 not tested
Other
Battery life 850 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $1,199 $2,339