• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Nikon D3400

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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

Nikon D3400 advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 4.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    8 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
    922k 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
    0.20 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 14.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

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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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3400
Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm & 70-300mm Lenses (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Red)
All D3400 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Compact DSLR camera body; Excellent image quality; Reliable single-shot autofocus; Good continuous JPEG shooting performance; New kit lens has improved AF; Great value at current prices.

  • SnapBridge is slow and limited; Poor continuous autofocus; No built-in Wi-Fi; Mediocre video features.

  • Read our Nikon D3400 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Canon T6i
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Canon T6i

Nikon D3400
Canon T6i
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Canon T6i

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

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Canon 50D

Nikon D3400
Canon 50D
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Better color depth
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Canon 50D

Compared to 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

Nikon D3400
Nikon D300S
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Nikon D300S

Compared to Nikon D5500

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D5500
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400
Nikon D5500
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to 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

Nikon D3400
Nikon D500
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Nikon D500

Compare Other Cameras?