Sigma SD9 vs Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100
      51
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      49
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sigma SD9 and the Nikon Coolpix S5100, 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.

      Sigma SD9 was introduced in November 2002 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 was introduced in August 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sigma SD9 Highlights

      • 3 MP APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) Sensor
      • No Optical Low-pass Filter
      • 100 - 400 Native ISO
      • 1.8" 130k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

      Nikon Coolpix S5100 Highlights

      • 12.2 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.70" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sigma SD9
      4. Advantage of Nikon Coolpix S5100
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      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.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sigma SD9 and Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      PROS

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      •   Internal Storage

      CONS

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 3 Megapixel
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/6000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"

      Advantage of Sigma SD9

      Sigma SD9
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sigma SD9 over Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      Sigma SD9 vs Nikon Coolpix S5100
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.3-inch
      RAW Support vs
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 4 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/6000 sec vs 1/1500 sec
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Manual Exposure Mode vs
      Aperture Priority vs
      Shutter Priority vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sigma SD9.

      Sigma SD14
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      APS-C

      5 MP

      Sigma SD1 Merrill
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Sigma SD15
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      5 MP

      Sigma SD1
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      15 MP

      Sigma SD10
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      3 MP

      Leica D-Lux (Typ 109)
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12.8 MP

      Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6 MP

      Epson R-D1
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6 MP

      Fujifilm S4500
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14.0 MP

      Casio EX-ZR100
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Nikon D100
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon Z30
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Advantage of Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Nikon S5100
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Coolpix S5100 over Sigma SD9.

      Sigma SD9 vs Nikon Coolpix S5100
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 3 Megapixel vs 12.2 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 400 vs 1,600
      Max Image Resolution 2268 x 1512 vs 4000 x 3000
      Image Stabilization vs
      Larger Screen 1.8" vs 2.70"
      Higher Resolution Screen 130k dot vs 230k dot
      Live View vs
      Built-in Flash vs
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      Built-in Microphone vs Mono
      Lighter 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz) vs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      Internal Storage vs 32 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      Nikon S5300
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon D3000
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony HX100V
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.2 MP

      Canon G11
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      1/1.7-inch

      10 MP

      Canon R8
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Nikon S5200
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon D5100
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A57
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Nikon P610
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Sony a1
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      Full Frame

      50.1 MP

      Nikon D3X
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      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Sony H70
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      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.

      STRENGTHS Sigma SD9 Nikon Coolpix S5100
        Live View Autofocus
      WEAKNESSES Sigma SD9 Nikon Coolpix S5100
        Low Resolution Sensor3 Megapixel12.2 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen130k dot230k dot
        No HDMI Output
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sigma SD9 has a 1.8" screen with 130k dot resolution and Nikon Coolpix S5100 has a 2.70" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Sigma SD9

      Sigma SD9 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 98% coverage and 0.77x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      Sensor

      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 285.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 400. Nikon Coolpix S5100 features a 12.2 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      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. Nikon Coolpix S5100 is equipped with Expeed C2 processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3968 x 2232, 3264 x 2448, 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      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.

      Image Stabilization on Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Nikon Coolpix S5100 has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer.


      Battery

      Nikon Coolpix S5100 comes with EN-EL10 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Sigma SD9 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, UDMA compatible) card slot. Nikon Coolpix S5100 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/6000 sec on Sigma SD9, and up to 1/1500 sec on Nikon Coolpix S5100.


      Flash

      Nikon Coolpix S5100 has a built-in 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 Sigma SD9.

      Physical Parameters

      Sigma SD9 body has dimensions of 152 x 120 x 79 mm (5.98 x 4.72 x 3.11") and Nikon Coolpix S5100 body has dimensions of 97 x 57 x 22 mm (3.82 x 2.24 x 0.87"). Sigma SD9 weighs 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz) and Nikon Coolpix S5100 weighs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz).

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      152 mm

      120 mm

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      97 mm

      57 mm

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      120 mm

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      57 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sigma SD9 and Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Sigma SD9 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      47
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      POOR
      52
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      POOR
      54
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Wildlife Photography

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      POOR
      50
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Street Photography

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sigma SD9 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 and give them scores of 51 and 49 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      OVERALL
      51
      OVERALL
      49

      Sensor

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      45
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/6000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      POOR
      50
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      BAD
      33
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      36
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sigma SD9

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      BAD
      36
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
      POOR
      49
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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