• 0.98 inch 285.7mm2
  • 4.6 megapixels
  • 41.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sigma DP2 advantages over Nikon Coolpix A

  • Less expensive
    $870 vs $1100 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.84 vs 4.79 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    41 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away

Nikon Coolpix A advantages over Sigma DP2

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 0.98 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 56 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 4.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 41 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Coolpix A

Review Excerpt

  • Solid alloy body with true twin-dial design; Smaller, lighter, and cheaper than most direct competitors; Excellent image quality, even when compared to interchangeable-lens cameras; Numerous accessories expand upon its capabilities.

  • Fixed prime lens is not for everybody; Ergonomics could be better; Performance is spotty; Built-in flash is rather weak; Battery life is quite modest.

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Sigma DP2
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $870
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • More dots on screen
Nikon Coolpix A
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compared to Leica X2

Sigma DP2
Leica X2
  • $870
  • 0.98 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon Coolpix A
Leica X2
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Ricoh GR

Sigma DP2
Ricoh GR
  • $870
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Integrated ND filter
Nikon Coolpix A
Ricoh GR
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sigma DP2
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $870
  • 0.98 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Newer
Nikon Coolpix A
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Sigma DP2
Fujifilm X70
  • $870
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Coolpix A
Fujifilm X70
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Compare Other Cameras?