• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 45.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5000 advantages over Sigma DP2 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $850 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 510 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    10 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sigma DP2 Merrill advantages over Nikon D5000

  • Thinner
    58 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    355g vs 588g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.8 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A200

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A200
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony DSLR-A200
  • $3194
  • APS-C
  • Newer
  • Lighter weight
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $3194
  • APS-C
  • Newer
  • Lighter weight
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $3194
  • APS-C
  • Newer
  • Lighter weight
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $3194
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5000
Sony A33
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony A33
  • $3194
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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