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Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15

Portability
74
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sigma SD15 front
Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44

Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Launched February 2010
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD14
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Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Nikon Z50 versus Sigma SD15, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Nikon and Sigma. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and SD15 (5MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The Z50 was launched 9 years after the SD15 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sigma SD15 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick view of how the Z50 matches up vs the SD15 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sigma SD15

 Z50 SD15 
LaunchedOctober 2019February 2010Newer by 118 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k460kSharper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Nikon Z50

 SD15 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sigma SD15

 Z50 SD15 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 has exterior measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") along with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD15 has measurements of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z50 versus Sigma SD15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the Z50 and the SD15.

Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and SD15 is 74 and 59 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and SD15.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Nikon Z50 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 16MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more recent Z50 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography highlights
Sigma SD15 Portrait photography highlights
80
focusing manually
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
50
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution not great (5 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography factors
Sigma SD15 Street photography factors
72
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (397g)
52
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Sigma SD15
75
decent megapixels (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography advice
Sigma SD15 Travel photography advice
77
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
decent megapixels (21MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (397 grams)
42
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (5 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography factors
Sigma SD15 Landscape photography factors
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z50
Vlogging with Sigma SD15
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
features face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone socket
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (397g)
9
no video recording
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Nikon Z50 vs Sigma SD15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sigma SD15
 Nikon Z50Sigma SD15
General Information
Make Nikon Sigma
Model type Nikon Z50 Sigma SD15
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2019-10-10 2010-02-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 True II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 5 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 2640 x 1760
Max native ISO 51200 1600
Max enhanced ISO 204800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 209 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sigma SA
Amount of lenses 15 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.7
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.6x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397g (0.88 pounds) 750g (1.65 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 pictures -
Battery type Built-in -
Battery ID EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $857 $1,500