Nikon D100 vs Sigma SD9

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D100 and the Sigma SD9, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon D100 was introduced in July 2002 and Sigma SD9 was introduced in November 2002. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D100 over Sigma SD9.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sigma SD9 over Nikon D100.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon D100 and Sigma SD9 have 1.8" Fixed screens with 118k dot and 130k dot resolutions respectively.

Viewfinder

Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. Nikon D100 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Sigma SD9 has 98% coverage with 0.77x magnification.

Nikon D100 features a 6.1 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 369.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600. Sigma SD9 features a 3 megapixel APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 20.7 x 13.8 mm and a total area of 190.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 400.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon D100 can take pictures up to 3008 x 2000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2240 x 1488, 1504 x 1000 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Sigma SD9 can take pictures up to 2268 x 1512 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 1134 x 756, 756 x 504 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Nikon D100 has Nikon F lens mount and Sigma SD9 has Sigma SA lens mount. They both have APS-C sensor but because of a small size difference their crop factors (also called lens multiplier) differ from each other. Nikon D100 has the crop factor of 1.5x which means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5. Sigma SD9 has the crop factor of 1.7x which means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.7.

No Low-Pass Filter on Sigma SD9

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Sigma SD9. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D100 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sigma SD9 nothing can be done. On Sigma SD9 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D100 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs

Both models have USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D100 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA), MicroDrive card slot. Sigma SD9 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, UDMA compatible) card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D100 has Electronic assist shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D100, and up to 1/6000 sec on Sigma SD9. Nikon D100 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.

Flash

Nikon D100 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 11.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash. Sigma SD9 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on both cameras.

Nikon D100 body has dimensions of 144 x 116 x 81 mm (5.67 x 4.57 x 3.19") and Sigma SD9 body has dimensions of 152 x 120 x 79 mm (5.98 x 4.72 x 3.11"). Nikon D100 weighs 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz) and Sigma SD9 weighs 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz).

Nikon D100

Sigma SD9

144 mm

116 mm

152 mm

120 mm

116 mm

120 mm