• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

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Differences

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Nikon Z7

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Nikon Z7 advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 4.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
    2100k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 14.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    26 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma SD1 Merrill

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z7

Review Excerpt

  • Familiar design in a compact form; Rugged build quality; Gorgeous EVF; Excellent image quality; Good autofocus; In-body image stabilization; Good 4K video recording.

  • Single card slot; Not as good at subject tracking as some Nikon DSLR cameras; Limited native lens selection (although adapter works well); Limited buffer depths.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 50D

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Canon 50D
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Nikon Z7
Canon 50D
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D300S

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D300S
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon Z7
Nikon D300S
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D500

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D500
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
Nikon Z7
Nikon D500
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon Z6
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z7
Nikon Z6
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS R

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Canon EOS R
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon Z7
Canon EOS R
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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