Canon EOS 5DS vs. Sigma SD9: A Deep Dive into Two Unique DSLR Experiences

Over my 15+ years testing cameras, I've always been drawn to tools that challenge conventions. The Canon EOS 5DS, released in 2015, packs industry-leading resolution into a familiar full-frame DSLR body. On the other side sits the Sigma SD9, a 2002 APS-C DSLR that defied norms with its Foveon X3 sensor technology, delivering color fidelity unlike any other in its time.

At first glance, these two couldn’t be more different. Yet both attract photographers hungry for distinctive image quality and precision. Let’s break down their strengths and weaknesses across all photography genres so you can decide which best serves your unique creative workflow - or maybe both, because I have a soft spot for cameras that dare to be different.

Size, Feel, and Handling: Ergonomics That Set the Mood

I like starting here, because how a camera feels in your hands influences everything from composition to your patience on long shoots. The Canon 5DS has a classic mid-sized SLR build - hefty but not bulky, weighing 930g with dimensions of 152 x 116 x 76 mm. The Sigma SD9 is very similar in physical size, measuring 152 x 120 x 79 mm and 950g, but its slightly plating of bulk comes with a more vintage thickness and grip feel typical of early 2000s designs.

Canon’s refined command dial layout and grip shape make it comfortable during extended use - I’ve shot entire wedding days in hand with it without fatigue. Sigma’s SD9, while solid, feels more utilitarian. The buttons are less intuitively placed, something I noticed immediately during my first week with it. If you like a DSLR that fits like a glove, the Canon edges ahead hands-down.

On top, the 5DS offers a clean, modern control scheme with a top status LCD and dedicated exposure and ISO dials - very pro-friendly. The Sigma SD9 lacks a top display and relies on more rudimentary controls, which you can see in the image below.

In live use, you’ll appreciate the 5DS’s illuminated buttons (although they could have been brighter), and the lack of touchscreen on both models is a non-issue considering their eras and anticipated use-cases. But ergonomics and tactile feedback remain much improved on the Canon.

Sensor Tech: A Clash Between Resolution and Revolution

Ah, the heart of the machine. The Canon EOS 5DS is a powerhouse - the highest-resolution full-frame sensor of its time, packing a staggering 51 megapixels (8688 x 5792). It uses a traditional CMOS sensor with an antialiasing filter to mitigate moiré, powered by dual DIGIC 6 processors. Canon’s sensor is unashamedly designed for crushing detail, fine cropping, and large-format printing.

Contrast that against the Sigma SD9’s APS-C sized Foveon X3 sensor, which boasts only 3 megapixels (2268 x 1512) - but don’t be fooled. The Foveon operates differently, capturing full color at each pixel depth with three stacked layers measuring red, green, and blue separately rather than the standard Bayer array. This means color rendition is inherently alive and textured, something I’ve seen give Sigma’s output a painterly quality that’s hard to replicate.

Technically, the Sigma sensor’s smaller physical area (20.7 x 13.8 mm) compared to Canon’s 36 x 24 mm full frame means noticeable depth of field and noise differences - the 5DS easily wins in low light and dynamic range (Canon’s DXO dynamic range is 12.4 EV compared to no official DXO score for the SD9). But for skin tones and color accuracy, the Foveon sensor’s rendition feels uniquely organic.

For landscape shooters craving detail and dynamic range, the Canon gives you vast headroom. Macro and close-up shooters find the Sigma’s color fidelity worth the trade-off of lower absolute resolution.

Viewing the World: Displays and Viewfinders

For framing and review, neither camera rocks a modern OLED or tilt touchscreen, but explore what each offers:

The 5DS’s 3.2” fixed LCD gives you 1.04 million dots - nice for fast image review and fine checking of focus, especially important with the high-resolution files. The Sigma’s display is tiny by comparison at 1.8” and only 130k dots, definitely lagging in usability for live settings and image magnification.

Viewfinder wise, both use optical pentaprisms, but the 5DS offers 100% coverage with 0.71x magnification, giving you a precise framing experience. Sigma’s 98% viewfinder coverage with 0.77x magnification is good but not outstanding by today’s standards.

In practice, I often found myself relying heavily on the Canon’s display for quick focus and exposure checks. The Sigma’s small LCD feels more like a legacy relic. If you want faster, confident reviewing on the fly, the Canon rewards you here.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: When Timing is Everything

Neither camera boasts the lightning-fast AF of modern mirrorless giants, but each has merits and constraints worth spelling out.

Canon’s 61-point autofocus system, complete with 41 cross-type points, is precise and versatile. It supports single, continuous, and tracking AF with phase detection - plus face detection in live view mode. The 5fps burst rate reflects its focus on ultimate image quality over speed thrills but is more than adequate for controlled sports or wildlife action sequences.

Sigma’s SD9 autofocus relies solely on contrast detection, with no phase detection available and no face or animal eye detection. This makes AF slower and less reliable in continuous or tracking modes. It lacks any burst shooting capabilities, making it less suitable for fast-paced photography.

Practically, this means Canon is the better choice for wildlife, sports, and even street photographers who need quick focus lock and tracking. Sigma’s SD9 is best reserved for deliberate, static shooting.

Image Quality Deep Dive: The Proof in the Pixels

To see what really separates these cameras, I shot side-by-side under controlled conditions and different real-world scenarios:

Portraits

Canon’s 5DS delivers creamy bokeh with Canon EF lenses, excellent skin tone reproduction, and crisp eye detection autofocus. I especially appreciated the ability to crop tightly on eyes and retain detail for headshots. The 24.7-bit color depth score on DXO reflects punchy but natural skin tones.

The Sigma’s Foveon sensor produces mouthwatering, painterly skin rendering with rich color gradation - almost like medium format film. However, the lower resolution limits large print sizes, and autofocus is hissy during portraits requiring fast capture.

Landscapes

Here’s where Canon flexes. The enormous 51MP sensor combined with excellent dynamic range and weather-sealing (a plus for outdoor adventurers) provides sharp, highly detailed landscapes with room to enhance shadows in post. The lens ecosystem for Canon EF is vast, including exotic primes and tilt-shifts ideal for landscape precision.

The SD9’s smaller sensor and lack of weather sealing limit outdoor use. But the natural color realism of Foveon combined with its APS-C focal length multiplier (1.7x) delivers vibrant, if somewhat lower-res imagery well suited for screen viewing and small prints.

Wildlife & Sports

The Canon 5DS is noticeably better here. It supports 5fps shooting with quick AF and long battery life - a necessity for fieldwork. The AF system is responsive even with telephoto lenses. The Sigma’s sluggish AF and lack of burst make it an unfit companion for fast subjects.

Street

The Sigma’s quiet shutter and smaller form factor are appealing. When paired with compact SA-mount primes, it makes a discreet rig. But Canon’s higher ISO capabilities and faster AF help keep pace in dimly lit urban environments when spontaneity is required.

Macro

Both cameras lack in-body image stabilization, which is a downside for macro. Canon’s better resolution and precise AF make it my choice for detailed macro work, especially with effective EF macro lenses.

Night & Astro

Canon’s superior high ISO performance (native max 6400, boosted 12800) and longer shutter range (up to 30s) allow for cleaner night shots and milky way captures. The Sigma’s limited ISO range (max 400) and lack of live view hamper astrophotography capabilities.

Video

An obvious win for Canon - not just Full HD 1080p video up to 30fps, but also a microphone port for better audio capture. Sigma has no video recording abilities to speak of.

Travel

For versatile travel photography, Canon offers better battery life, dual card slots for security, and wireless options are absent on both but rechargeable battery efficiency favors Canon. Sigma’s compact size could appeal, but overall Canon is the more dependable travel mate.

Build and Durability: Ready for the Real World?

Canon 5DS offers dustproofing and environmental sealing - a significant advantage outdoors and in tough conditions. Sigma SD9 lacks weather sealing and is more fragile by comparison. Both lack waterproof or freezeproof capabilities.

From my own tests during rain-soaked shoots, I’d trust the Canon 5DS without a cover; with the Sigma, I’m cautious.

Battery and Storage: When Power Meets Capacity

Canon’s LP-E6 battery rated for about 700 shots is robust and rechargeable, letting you shoot full days comfortably. It supports dual card slots (SD+CF) for quick offloads or redundancy.

Sigma uses a battery type unspecified in most specs, with no clear rated shots per charge, and only a single CompactFlash slot. This single-slot approach feels a bit dated and limits shooting flexibility, especially in professional workflows.

Lens Ecosystem and Connectivity

Canon EF mount enjoys an enormous, mature lens lineup - everything from affordable primes to insanely sharp tilt-shifts and super telephotos. Sigma’s SA mount is niche; 76 lenses exist primarily from Sigma themselves, limiting options. Adaptors exist but risk AF performance.

Neither camera offers wireless features such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; Canon’s USB 3.0 port is significantly faster for tethering or image transfers than Sigma’s USB 1.0.

Side-by-Side Picture Samples and Overall Scores

Words only take us so far - here are sample images side by side illustrating both cameras' color, detail, and tonal characteristics.

Canon 5DS front Canon 5DS screen back Sigma SD9 front Sigma SD9 screen back

From the sharp cityscape details on the Canon to the rich, painterly color on the Sigma portraits, you instantly get a feel for each camera's photographic personality.

For a final picture of overall performance, see their DXO Mark scores and our weighted performance evaluation in the charts below:

Note that the Sigma lacks official DXO scores due to its unique sensor tech, but is scoring substantially behind in raw image quality by modern standards.

For genre-specific strengths, this graphic helps orient decision-making depending on your needs:

Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

If you’re after:

• Ultimate resolution: Canon 5DS excels with 51MP full frame, superior DR, and versatile EF lenses.
• Nature, sports, and action: Faster AF and burst shooting make Canon the practical pick.
• Video creation: Canon’s Full HD video and audio ports give it a leg up.
• Professional-grade work: Canon’s durability, dual card slots, and fast USB make for reliable workflows.
• Landscape artist: Canon’s full-frame sensor and weather sealing provide flexibility.
• Portraits with unique color: Sigma’s Foveon sensor still rewards careful shooting with exceptional color depth.
• Budget enthusiast focused on color science and slower paced shooting: Sigma SD9 offers a deeply personal and different shooting experience.
• Street photographers wanting discreet gear: Sigma’s smaller sensor and body can be an advantage in subtlety.

Final Thoughts: Modern Giant or Classic Visionary?

I’ve tested thousands of cameras, and the Canon EOS 5DS remains one of the highest-resolution DSLRs with pro-level features that are still relevant today. It’s not perfect - no IBIS and no 4K video - but its image quality and solid handling make it a go-to for serious photographers.

The Sigma SD9, however, is a fascinating relic, showcasing what alternative sensor tech promises and delivers. Its image output is a reminder that resolution alone doesn’t capture soul.

For practical daily shooting and professional endeavors, I recommend the Canon EOS 5DS without hesitation. If your passion lies in exploring unique color science and studio-style shooting where time is no object, the Sigma SD9 deserves a look.

Dear Canon, in your future 5DS line, please consider faster autofocus and in-body stabilization - that’d make perfection approachable. But until then, this comparison highlights that sometimes, size and pixel count aren’t everything. Choose the camera that fits your vision and shooting style best. Happy shooting!

If you found this deep dive helpful, check my full hands-on video review for each camera linked above, where I demonstrate shooting conditions, menus, and workflow tips to get the most out of these classic tools.