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Nikon Df vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
62
Overall
62
Nikon Df front
 
Sigma SD1 Merrill front
Portability
57
Imaging
56
Features
45
Overall
51

Nikon Df vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Key Specs

Nikon Df
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 204800)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 760g - 144 x 110 x 67mm
  • Revealed December 2013
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
  • Launched April 2012
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD1
Photography Glossary

Nikon Df vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Nikon Df and Sigma SD1 Merrill, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sigma. The image resolution of the Df (16MP) and the SD1 Merrill (15MP) is very comparable but the Df (Full frame) and SD1 Merrill (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The Df was brought out 21 months after the SD1 Merrill making them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the Df matches up vs the SD1 Merrill in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Df over the Sigma SD1 Merrill

 Df SD1 Merrill 
LaunchedDecember 2013April 2012Newer by 21 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Nikon Df

 SD1 Merrill Df 

Common features in the Nikon Df and Sigma SD1 Merrill

 Df SD1 Merrill 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Nikon Df vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon Df has physical measurements of 144mm x 110mm x 67mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 Merrill has specifications of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Df and Sigma SD1 Merrill in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the Df compared to the SD1 Merrill.

Nikon Df vs Sigma SD1 Merrill size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Df and SD1 Merrill is 59 and 57 respectively.

Nikon Df vs Sigma SD1 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Nikon Df vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the Df and SD1 Merrill.

As you can see, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Df featuring a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Nikon Df will provide extra detail having its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher Df is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon Df vs Sigma SD1 Merrill sensor size comparison

Nikon Df vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Df Portrait photography details
Sigma SD1 Merrill Portrait photography details
77
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
65
manual focus
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon Df as a Street photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Street photography camera
60
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Df as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Sports photography camera
69
MP count decent (16MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery pack (1,400 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
61
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Df
Travel photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
60
good battery pack (1,400 per charge)
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
54
weather proofing
good MP (15MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Df
Landscape photography with Sigma SD1 Merrill
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery pack (1,400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
63
manual focus
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Df as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD1 Merrill as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon Df vs Sigma SD1 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Df and Sigma SD1 Merrill
 Nikon DfSigma SD1 Merrill
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sigma
Model Nikon Df Sigma SD1 Merrill
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2013-12-20 2012-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 860.4mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest resolution 4928 x 3280 4800 x 3200
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 39 -
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sigma SA
Total lenses 309 76
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s -
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s -
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto FP High-speed sync, front-curtain sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 760 grams (1.68 lbs) 790 grams (1.74 lbs)
Physical dimensions 144 x 110 x 67mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.6") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 89 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 3279 not tested
Other
Battery life 1400 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL14,EN-EL14a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, or 20 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $2,747 $2,339