• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sigma SD1 Merrill
  • Nikon D800E
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Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Nikon D810
D800E vs D810
General
Model Number: SD1 Merrill D800E
Alternate Model Number(s): SD1  
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: Yes No
Retail Price: $2299.00 $3299.95
Street Price: $8,492.13 $2,211.73
Date Available: 2011-06-01 2012-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 28.1 oz (796 g)
includes batteries
35.6 oz (1,008 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.7 x 4.5 x 3.1 in.
(146 x 114 x 80 mm)
5.7 x 4.8 x 3.2 in.
(146 x 123 x 82 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Foveon X3 Sony
Effective Megapixels: 14.8 36.3
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.00 microns 4.88 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: Full Color RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Not needed None
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   96
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   25.6
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   14.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   2,979
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4704 x 3136 (14.8 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2336 x 1568 (3.7 MP, Other)
7360 x 4912 (36.2 MP, 3:2),
5520 x 3680 (20.3 MP, 3:2),
3680 x 2456 (9.0 MP, 3:2),
6114 x 4080 (24.9 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3056 (14.1 MP, Other),
3072 x 2040 (6.3 MP, Other),
4800 x 3200 (15.4 MP, 3:2),
3600 x 2400 (8.6 MP, 3:2),
2400 x 1600 (3.8 MP, 3:2),
6144 x 4912 (30.2 MP, 5:4),
4608 x 3680 (17.0 MP, 5:4),
3072 x 2456 (7.5 MP, 5:4)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.1 4.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sigma SA bayonet Nikon F
Lens: Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 26 - 75mm  
Focal Length (actual): 17 - 50mm  
Zoom Ratio: 2.90x  
Aperture Range: f/2.8 - f/22 (W/T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 77.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 1.2x, 1.5x (DX), 5:4 crop modes
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase-detection with 11-point Twin Cross AF Sensor; Single AF, Continuous AF (with AF motion prediction function), Manual 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX including 15 cross-type sensors; f/8 supported by 11 central sensors; Contrast detection AF in Live View mode
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; Pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.95x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -3 to +1.5 diopter SLR; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, 17mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.95x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:    
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 Auto, 100 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 25,600 in Hi-2
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash and Custom Auto (2), Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual (4), Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K); Fine-tuning available for all options.
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 77-segment Evaluative, Center-Weighted Average, Center Area, Spot Metering; EV 1 to 20 (50mm F1.4 : ISO100) 91K-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III, Center-weighted (weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame; diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame), Spot (4mm circle or about 1.5% frame, centered on selected focus area)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   None
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: S-TTL (17mm lens angle covered) Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.0 m / 36.1 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent. Lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/250 (up to 1/320s with lower flash range)
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket ISO-type hot-shoe, PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:   UDMA7/UHS-I compliant
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF
Movie File Format:   MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional RS-31 IR Wireless, CR-21 Wired Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): Wired Remote, DC Input jacks Mini HDMI (Type C), 10-pin Expansion Terminal (GP-1 GPS compatible), Stereo Mic Mini Jack (3.5mm), Stereo Audio Out (3.5mm)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.78 0.42
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.78 0.39
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 7 23
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.46
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.1 4.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 7 54
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   18
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   14
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.38 seconds 0.21 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   1.74 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.184 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.244 seconds 0.044 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.52 seconds 0.22 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.088 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus Lag: Auto Area AF = 0.466s OVF, Full Autofocus, 51-point Auto Area = 0.306s Live View, Full Autofocus = 1.735s Live View, Prefocused = 0.184s
Startup Time: 4.5 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.5 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   3.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   900 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-21 Proprietary EN-EL15
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable or MB-D12 battery grip
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-21 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Sigma Photo Pro 5.0 Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:   Windows, Mac OS X
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 46-megapixel 23.5 x 15.7mm APS-C full-color sensor, weather-resistant magnesium alloy body, dual "TRUE II" image processing engines, 11-point Twin Cross AF sensor, CompactFlash Type 1 with UDMA support. Limited edition Nikon D800 variant, with no low-pass filter (LPF) effect. IR cut and antireflective coating properties of the optical filter remain the same.