• 0.98 inch 285.7mm2
  • 4.6 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Sigma DP1 advantages over Nikon D700

  • Less expensive
    $999 vs $3000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    50 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    278g vs 1095g
    Lighter weight

Nikon D700 advantages over Sigma DP1

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 0.98 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 3.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 1.53 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 4.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Sigma DP1
Sony A900
  • $999
  • 0.98 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 vs Sony A900

Nikon D700
Sony A900
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon D700 vs Sony A900

Compared to Canon 5D Mark II

Sigma DP1
Canon 5D Mark II
  • $999
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 vs Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D700
Canon 5D Mark II
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D700 vs Canon 5D Mark II

Compared to Sony A850

Sigma DP1
Sony A850
  • $999
  • 0.98 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 vs Sony A850

Nikon D700
Sony A850
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D700 vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D3S

Sigma DP1
Nikon D3S
  • $999
  • 0.98 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 vs Nikon D3S

Nikon D700
Nikon D3S
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D700 vs Nikon D3S

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sigma DP1
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $999
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D700
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D700 vs Canon 5D Mark III

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