Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D5200

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Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D5200

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APS-C 369.0mm²
14.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Sigma SD1 Merrill Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SD1 Merrill.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5200 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5200.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5300
Compare D5200 vs D5300
Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D5300

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Differences

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Nikon D5200

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 0.52x
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 D5200 advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 4.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
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
More pixels
24.1 vs 14.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
39 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
4.9 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)
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

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
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5200 User Reviews

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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 D5200

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Kit with 18-55mm Lens
Body Only
Kit with 18-105mm Lens
Kit with 18-140mm Lens

All D5200 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sigma SD1 Merrill.
Read our Sigma SD1 Merrill Initial Test

Captures sharp, detailed photos with its new 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, even at higher ISOs; Features a familiar (D5100) but refined body design; Records Full HD video with full-time autofocus tracking; Packs a ton of advanced features into a consumer-friendly body at a great price.
Autofocuses a little slowly for its class and struggles at times in low light; Changing some basic settings takes more time and effort than it should; Mediocre kit lens.
Read our Nikon D5200 Review

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

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Canon 50D

Nikon D5200

Canon 50D

$500
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Better color depth

$1000
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D5200 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 D5200

Nikon D300S

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1697
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D300S

Compared to Nikon D3200

Sigma SD1 Merrill

Nikon D3200

$8492
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Pentaprism viewfinder

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200

$500
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

$477
APS-C

Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Sony A58

Sigma SD1 Merrill

Sony A58

$8492
APS-C

Bigger pixels
More viewfinder magnification

$598
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A58

Nikon D5200

Sony A58

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Sony A58

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 D5200

Nikon D500

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D500

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