• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D700 advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.46 vs 5.00 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 4.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.72x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More AF points
    51 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Nikon D700

  • Less expensive
    $2299 vs $3000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lighter weight
    796g vs 1095g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    14.8 vs 12.1 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

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma SD1 Merrill

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Nikon D700
Sony A900
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony A900
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D300S

Nikon D700
Nikon D300S
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • External Mic Jack
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D300S
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A850

Nikon D700
Sony A850
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony A850
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D700
Nikon D3S
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D3S
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D500

Nikon D700
Nikon D500
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D500
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
Compare Other Cameras?