• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1300 vs $2299 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 4.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.5 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Nikon D90

  • 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
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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

Buy the Nikon D90

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma SD1 Merrill
Kit with 18-200mm lens
  • Kit with 18-200mm lens
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 17-50mm lens
All SD1 Merrill Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D300S

Nikon D90
Nikon D300S
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • External Mic Jack
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D90 vs Nikon D300S

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D300S
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D300S

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
  • More dots on screen
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D90
Pentax K-5
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-5

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Pentax K-5
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Nikon D500

Nikon D90
Nikon D500
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D90 vs Nikon D500

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D500
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D500

Compare Other Cameras?