Sigma SD1 Merrill Digital Camera Body
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Sigma SD1 Merrill Digital SLR Camera Body, 46 Megapixel

SKU: SGSD1M

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Q&A

Questions & Answers

joe b : How would the Sigma SD1 compare with the Sigma SD 9 that I have now ?, thank you J BoyskoEd A : No comparison at all. The SD1 is a vastly superior camera in every way. I've owned an SD10, SD14, and now the SD1 Merrill. The image quality is simply incredible.Jody L : I have not owned an SD-9 or SD-10, but I HAVE owned the SD-14, 15, and 1Merrill. The SD-1 is by FAR better in resolution than the other two. I have only two complaints...slow writing speeds and poor quality at high ISO's. However, I don't use high ISO's all that much and the poor writing speeds are probably unavoidable when dealing with the huge file sizes. I shoot in RAW and an average file size is about 55MB! With a scene full of color such as rich fall foliage, I have had as high as 60MB from one image. Have printed up to 20x30 with spectacular results. You can't go wrong with the SD-1!STEPHEN H : With the SD1 Merrill you'll get an extra 6 mega pixels on each of the three sensors. That's 16 MP x 3. Also, I believe the APS-C sensor in the SD1 Merrill is a little bigger than the sensor in the SD-9. The larger sensor with the extra pixels should improve your images. As you may know, these cameras work best using ISO 100 through ISO 400. Too much noise may start to show above ISO 400. I have been pleased with the sharpness and trueness of colors with the SD1 Merrill.
David B : Is there a push contact terminal on the Sigma SD-1 ?STEPHEN H : The only things that you can push into a contact terminal is the CF Card.Jody L : Can you clarify what you mean by "push contact"?R. C. F : I would be willing to answer your question if I understood it. What is a "push contact terminal"?ANDREW R : I'm afraid I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you asking if this unit is equipped with a PC sync terminal for external flash? Unfortunately no, this unit does not appear to have a PC sync terminal.
Shopper : does the SD-1 camera have the same "mount" as my Nikon DX lenses? Also will it accept the Ai or Ai-s manual nikon lenses ? Also is software compatible with Apple operating software?PAUL N : The shopper should go to: http://forums. dpreview .com/forums/1027 The lens mount is Sigma, not Nikon. It won't accept Nikon lenses. Works with Macs.STEPHEN H : Sigma SD1 Merrill camera only accepts a Sigma lens. At this time no Sigma camera mount supports another lens maker and, I'm not aware of Sigma having any mount adapters. Sigma is a third party lens maker for many makes of DSLR cameras and, having a camera line of their own they most likely didn't want to detract from their line of lenses. I don't own Apple products but, I would think that the X3F Raw downloads onto an Apple computer should be possible. I know the Sigma SPP 5 post-processing software is useable on MacIntosh.KURT W : The Sigma SD-1 camera is not compatible with Nikon Lenses. You will have to purchase Sigma lenses. There is a conversion mount which would enable you to use your Nikon lenses but then you would lose all auto-focus and auto exposure features. The RAW image processing software works on Mac as well as PC. Hope this helps.MENG Z : Also note that no major raw conversion software will work with SD1's raw files. I could get SPP to convert raw files at my gf's three yr old mac laptop for some reason (it said raw images converted to jpeg but actually didn't) , maybe 5.5 and newest OS will have no problemMICHAEL E : Hi, Yes, the SPP software is Mac compatible. The SD-1 has the Sigma SA mount so your only option to use Nikon lenses is to change the mount.The mount conversion is available on ebay.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2017-08-11T12:53:43

Rated 5 out of 5

Best SD Yet

This is my third Sigma Digital over a 15 year span. This is by far the best yet. Great image quality, and the body fits my hand like it was custom made for me.

William J.

2015-01-22T19:00:00

Rated 2 out of 5

A disappointment for a top of the line..

I tested sigma camera SD1 for one day and battery lasted for only 90 shots first charge 72 shots the second charge.(about 73 degrees outdoors) has interesting buffer design 2 or 3 buffers. Indoor portrait photos were below expectations in color and b and w I give it no star (that bad (quality). My small kodak(digital) camera ($159.00) takes much better pictures (indoor portraits) with same conditions for indoor (natural lighting etc.)both cameras using no flash and with camera flash... will check studio set up style lighting later. SD1 takes only 10 megapixel b&w (disappointing) no pro adjustments (picture) like Nikon, canon, sony. No live view and video recording (1080 HD) also. I recommend demo camera in camera store take pictures(inside store) and check results before buying.. returning it is a lot of trouble. I tested 17-50mm f2.8 sigma probably will be disc. soon has angular distortion on linear perpendicular at 17mm to 30mm (maybe manufacture defect.) or engineering design (sigma has no level indicator in viewfinder) like some other manufactures but lens seems to have good dep of field and at 2.8 good bokeh effect but lens is sharp. I try a 70-300mm apo sigma and photo's were TOTALLY unacceptable (just like what p. photo said)lens seem sharp but picture quailty is really bad.(no star for all types of photography) but sigma claims at web site different autofocus design is used for that lens (okay but manual focus is also totally unacceptatble picture quailty) similar to what magazine said so buyer beware for sure. test demo camera to be sure.

B b.

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Sigma SD1 Specifications

  • Format

    Interchangeable lens SLR camera

  • Storage Media

    Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)

  • Image Sensor Size

    23.5x15.7mm

  • Lens Mount

    SIGMA SA bayonet mount

  • Compatible Lenses

    SIGMA SA mount interchangeable lenses

  • Angle of View

    Equivalent to approx. 1.5 times the focal length of the lens (for 35mm cameras)

  • Image Sensor

    Foveon X3 direct image sensor (CMOS)

  • Pixels

    Total Pixels 48MP, Effective Pixels 46MP (4,800x3, 200x3 layers)

  • Aspect Ratio

    3:2

  • Still Image Format

    Exif 2.3, DCF 2.0

  • Recording Mode

    Lossless compression RAW data (12-bit, High, Medium, Low), JPEG(High, Medium, Low)

  • File Size: RAW

    High Approx: 45 MB (4,704 x 3,136 x 3)
    Medium Approx: 24 MB (3,264 x 2,176 x 3)
    Low Approx: 12 MB (2,336 x 1,568 x 3)

  • File Size: JPEG (High)

    Fine Approx: 10 MB (4,704 x 3,136)
    Normal Approx: 5.6 MB (4,704 x 3,136)
    Basic Approx: 4.2 MB (4,704 x 3,136)

  • File Size: JPEG (Medium)

    Fine Approx: 5 MB (3,264 x 2,176)
    Normal Approx: 2.7 MB (3,264 x 2,176)
    Basic Approx: 2 MB (3,264 x 2,176)

  • File Size: JPEG (Low)

    Fine Approx: 2.5 MB (2,336 x 1,568)
    Normal Approx: 1.4 MB (2,336 x 1,568)
    Basic Approx: 1 MB (2,336 x 1,568)

  • Continuous shooting speed

    High:5 frame/sec., Medium:6 frame/sec., Low:6 frame/sec

  • Continuous buffer

    High:Max. 7 frames, Medium:Max. 14 frames, Low:Max. 14 frames

  • Interface

    USB (USB2.0), Video Out (NTSC/PAL)

  • White Balance

    8 types (Auto, Daylight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash and Custom)

  • Color Mode

    7 types (Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Portrait, Landscape, B&W, Sepia)

  • Viewfinder Type

    Pentaprism SLR viewfinder

  • Viewfinder Frame Coverage

    98% vertical, 98% horizontal

  • Viewfinder Magnification

    0.95x (50mmF1.4)

  • Eye point

    18mm

  • Diopter Adjustment Range

    -3.0 dpt - +1.5 dpt

  • Auto Focus Type

    TTL phase difference detection system

  • AF Point

    11 points twin cross sensor

  • AF Operating Range

    EV -1 to +18 (ISO100)

  • Focus Mode

    Single AF, Continuous AF (with AF motion prediction function), Manual

  • AF Point Selection

    Automatic Selection, Manual Selection

  • Metering Systems

    77 segment Evaluative Metering, Spot Metering, Center Area Metering, Center-Weighted Average Metering

  • Metering Range

    EV 1 to 20 (50mm F1.4: ISO100)

  • Exposure Control System

    [P] Program AE (Program Shift is possible),[S] Shutter Speed Priority AE,[A] Aperture Priority AE, [M] Manual

  • ISO Sensitivity

    ISO100,200,400,800,1600,3200,6400

  • Exposure Compensation

    +/-3 EV (in 1/3 stop increments)

  • Auto Bracketing

    Three or Five frames (in 1/3 steps, Appropriate Exposure-Under Exposure-Over Exposure)

  • Shutter Type

    Electronically Controlled Focal Plane Shutter

  • Shutter Speed

    1/8000 - 30 sec.,Bulb (up to 30 sec. With Extended Mode: 2 min.)

  • Flash Connectivity

    Hot shoe (contact X synchronization at 1/180 sec. or less, with dedicated flash linking contact)

  • Built-in Flash

    Manual Pop-up Built-in flash, GN11 (17mm lens angle covered)

  • LCD Monitor

    Type: TFT color LCD monitor, Monitor Size: 3.0", LCD Pixels: Approx. 460,000

  • Reviewing Images

    Single frame display, Multi display [9 frames],Zoom, Slide Show

  • LCD Monitor Language

    English / Japanese / German / French / Spanish /Italian / Chinese (Simplified) / Korean / Russian

  • Power

    Li-ion Battery Pack BP-21, Battery Charger BC-21,AC Adapter SAC-4 (optional)

  • Dimensions (W x H x D)

    145.5 mm x 113.5 mm x 80.0 mm/5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1"

  • Weight

    700g /24.7oz (without battery and card)

  • UPC Code

    085126928766

2 Accessories for Sigma SD1 Merrill Digital SLR Camera Body, 46 Megapixel

  • All Accessories (2)
  • Batteries & Power Supply (1)
  • Cleaning Accessories (1)
Sigma BC-21 Charger for BP-21 Li-ion Camera Battery
Sigma BC-21 Charger for BP-21 Li-ion Camera Battery
$53.00
ProOptic Complete Optics Care and Cleaning Kit
ProOptic Complete Optics Care and Cleaning Kit
$19.95

About Sigma SD1

FEATURED REVIEWS

Best SD Yet

By William J.

This is my third Sigma Digital over a 15 year span. This is by far the best yet. Great image quality, and the body fits my hand like it was custom made for me.

The Sigma SD1 Merrill DSLR is a truly groundbreaking digital SLR camera which incorporates a 46 megapixel (4,800x3, 200x3 layers) 24x16mm APS-C x3 direct image sensor. The SD1 Merrill is Sigma's flagship digital SLR model housed in a solid magnesium alloy body making it extremely lightweight with an overall nice feel and pleasant handling. The splash proof feature protects the camera from the effects of harsh weather conditions. Incorporating a 24x16mm APS-C x3 direct image sensor, dual "TRUE" (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II image processing engines and the 46 megapixel sensor ensures that high resolution images are processed quickly with high definition and a smooth and subtle graduation of color delivering an image size of approximately 35/45 mp in RAW/TIFF files. This latest technology meets the strictest standards and requirements of professionals and enthusiast photographers for all types of photography.

Sigma SD1 Features

  • World's first full color image sensor: Foveon X3 46 Megapixel image sensor
  • Splash proof design prevents dust and water from getting inside the camera body
  • 46 megapixel
  • True II Image processing engine
  • CFcard
  • A lightweight yet solid magnesium alloy body designed to withstand rough use andshocks in harsh conditions.
  • Large, highly visible 3.0' TFT color LCD Monitor
  • Housed in solid magnesium alloy body

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Key Features

  • World's first full color image sensor
  • True II Image processing engine
  • Large, highly visible 3.0' TFT color LCD Monitor
  • Housed in solid magnesium alloy body

What's in the box:

  • Sigma SD1 Merrill Digital SLR Camera
  • Li-ion Battery BP-21
  • Battery Charger BC-21
  • USB Cable
  • Video Cable
  • Neck Strap
  • Eye Cap
  • Body Cap
  • Eyepiece Cap
  • SIGMA Photo Pro Disc
  • SD1 Instruction Manual
  • Sigma 1 Year North and South America Limited Warranty (3 Year USA Extended Warranty for a Total of 4 Years from Date of Purchase)

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