Canon G5 X vs Sigma DP1: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Large Sensor Compacts

When I first sat down to compare the Canon PowerShot G5 X and the Sigma DP1, I was intrigued. Both cameras fall into the “large sensor compact” category, but they hail from very different design philosophies, technological eras, and target audiences. Having spent years in the field photographing everything from rugged landscapes to bustling street scenes, I was eager to dissect these cameras from every angle: sensor capability, ergonomics, autofocus performance, image output, and suitability across photography genres. What follows is a comprehensive, real-world comparison that aims to uncover which device might serve your creative ambitions best.

I tested both cameras extensively over weeks, shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife, street, and macro subjects to form a firm and balanced opinion. Here is my detailed experience.

First Impressions and Handling

Before diving into specs, nothing shapes the photographic experience like how a camera feels in your hands and how intuitive the controls are. The Canon G5 X and Sigma DP1 highlight stark contrasts in user focus, ergonomics, and design language.

The Canon G5 X sports a compact but relatively chunky body at 112×76×44mm and 353g, lending it a solid, substantial feel without bulk. The grip is contoured and comfortable, making it an easy handheld companion through long shoots. Contrasting this, the Sigma DP1 is slightly heavier at 270g yet feels boxier and more angular due to its minimalist approach, measuring 113×60×50mm. While portable, its lack of ergonomic curves and smaller footprint can make extended handling a little more demanding, especially for travelers who prefer quick operation.

Turning the cameras over, the Canon's thoughtfully placed control dials and buttons make intuitive sense in the heat of the moment. The Sigma’s minimalist interface requires a learning curve and more menu diving to change settings, which can slow workflow for spontaneous shooting.

On the top plate, the Canon exhibits dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and mode selection - features that any enthusiast will appreciate for speedy adjustments. The Sigma’s top is barebones, reflecting its early-2000s roots and focusing more on technical image quality than user-centric design. This can be seen as either a drawback or charm, depending on your patience with manual operation.

Sensor and Image Quality: Technology Across Generations

Sensor performance deeply influences image aesthetics and versatility, so let’s take a close look.

The Canon G5 X features a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2×8.8mm with a 20MP resolution (5472×3648 pixels). While smaller than APS-C or full-frame, the back-illuminated design and DIGIC 6 processor help it deliver respectable dynamic range (~12.3 EV) and color depth, making it quite versatile under many lighting conditions. The native ISO range from 125 to 12,800 supports flexible shooting, with usable low-light performance, though noise appears above ISO 1600.

Conversely, the Sigma DP1 incorporates a larger APS-C format (20.7×13.8mm) with a Foveon X3 sensor that uniquely captures color information across three layers per pixel, giving a distinct and arguably more “film-like” color rendition. However, it clocks in at a mere 5MP front-layer resolution, with a maximum image size of 2640×1760 pixels. Sadly, the camera's ISO maxes out at 800, and its dynamic range and noise handling lag behind modern standards.

In real-world shooting, Canon's sensor offers a more balanced and flexible output, whereas the Sigma's Foveon sensor, while delivering exceptional color fidelity and sharpness at base ISO, struggles in low light and offers less resolution for cropping or large prints.

Viewing and Composing Your Shots

An instinctive viewfinder and screen can be the difference between capturing moments or missing them.

The Canon G5 X excels with a bright, high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) at 2.36 million dots covering 100% of the frame - allowing precise framing even under bright sunlight. Complementing this is a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 1.04 million dots resolution that is both touch-sensitive and selfie-friendly. I found this extremely handy for unconventional angles, macro work, and communication during portrait sessions.

The Sigma DP1, true to its vintage design, provides no viewfinder - relying solely on a small, fixed 2.5-inch LCD with a mere 230K dots resolution. This makes bright outdoor composing challenging, and with no touchscreen capability, navigating menus or manual focus adjustments felt sluggish.

For professionals or enthusiasts who often shoot outdoors or in fast-paced settings, the Canon's viewing system is clearly superior.

Autofocus, Shooting Speed, and Practical Flexibility

The heart of capturing sharp images lies in focusing systems and response speed.

The Canon G5 X incorporates 31 contrast-detection AF points with face detection and continuous autofocus options, providing reliable focus tracking in most scenarios. Live view autofocus is responsive, and while it lacks phase-detection AF, the hybrid Contrast AF system suffices for casual sports and wildlife. Continuous burst shooting is 5.9fps, which for a compact camera of its era is satisfactory.

Sigma DP1, without autofocus technology in the modern sense, must be manually focused via a ring or menu controls. There is no continuous or tracking autofocus, and shooting speed is relatively slow with no continuous burst mode. In fast-action or wildlife photography, this is a decisive limitation.

Lens and Zoom Range Considerations

Lens versatility is a major advantage of any compact system.

The Canon G5 X sports a bright fixed zoom lens with a 24-100mm equivalent focal range and an impressive aperture range of f/1.8-2.8. This versatility covers wide-angle landscapes, portraits with creamy bokeh, and some telephoto distances for casual wildlife. The lens is optically stabilized, aiding handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds and in low light.

The Sigma DP1’s fixed 28mm equivalent lens (f/4 max aperture) limits creative flexibility - excellent for street and landscape but less so for portraits or macro. Its lack of stabilization also demands more careful handling or tripods for sharp images.

Battery Life and Storage Practicalities

Extended shooting sessions demand reliable power and storage solutions.

The Canon G5 X uses an NB-13L battery rated for around 210 shots per charge - a modest figure typical for this camera class but enough for a day's strolling or casual travel photography with spare batteries. It accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

The Sigma DP1, older and less efficient, has no official battery life measurement but often struggles in the field for sustained shooting. It uses SD/MMC cards and an older rechargeable system, so I recommend carrying multiples for prolonged trips.

Connectivity and Modern Conveniences

For the mobile photographer, seamless sharing and connectivity matter.

The Canon G5 X offers built-in Wi-Fi plus NFC for one-touch pairing to smartphones and tablets, a USB 2.0 port, HDMI output, and a built-in flash with various modes. These features streamline workflow for travel or photojournalism.

The Sigma DP1 lacks any wireless features, HDMI, or modern USB interfaces - reflecting its design era and limiting integration with today’s digital ecosystems.

Image Samples and Real-World Quality

To illustrate differences, here are sample shots side-by-side under diverse conditions.

Canon G5 X front Canon G5 X screen back Sigma DP1 front Sigma DP1 screen back

Portraits from the Canon show pleasing skin tones aided by the fast lens and sharp autofocus with face detection. The Sigma’s images exude a unique color depth and detail characteristic of the Foveon sensor but require careful lighting and steady hands.

Landscapes from both cameras reveal the Sigma’s larger sensor advantage in resolution and color fidelity, though the Canon impresses with wider dynamic range and anti-noise capabilities in variable light. Wildlife shots favored the Canon for speed and stabilization, while the Sigma’s slower response made capturing movement challenging.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or ruggedization, so cautious use in harsh environments is advised. The Canon feels sturdier built and better finished, matching its more modern engineering.

Genre-by-Genre Strengths and Weaknesses

How do these cameras stack up across photography styles? I found noteworthy differences.

• Portrait: Canon’s fast aperture, reliable face detection, and autofocus outperform the Sigma’s fixed f/4 lens and manual focus; G5 X produces more flattering skin tones and bokeh.
• Landscape: Sigma’s larger sensor and Foveon color science offer luscious color but limited resolution (5MP) limits cropping. Canon has strong dynamic range and higher megapixels.
• Wildlife: Canon’s autofocus and burst rates dominate; Sigma unsuitable.
• Sports: Canon’s 5.9fps and AF tracking give modest capability; Sigma cannot compete.
• Street: Sigma’s discreet design and prime lens appeal to minimalists; Canon bulkier but more versatile.
• Macro: Canon’s close 5cm macro and image stabilizer are clear advantages; Sigma none.
• Night/Astro: Canon’s higher ISO ceiling and image stabilization outperform; Sigma’s low max ISO and noise make night shooting impractical.
• Video: Canon offers Full HD 60p; Sigma lacks video entirely.
• Travel: Canon’s versatility, wireless, and screen articulation suit travel photographers; Sigma’s stillness and compactness attract purists.
• Professional Use: Canon’s RAW support, exposure controls, and connectivity position it as a semi-pro tool; Sigma better as a niche experimental device.

Technical Performance Scores

Averaging performance metrics and user experience, the Canon G5 X clearly leads in all measured categories except sensor size and color fidelity where Sigma holds a niche edge.

Who Should Buy Which?

My hands-on testing yields a few practical conclusions:

• Choose the Canon G5 X if you want:

  • A versatile, pocketable camera capable of covering wide photographic territory.
  • Decent video capabilities for multimedia projects.
  • Fast, accurate autofocus and reasonable low-light handling.
  • Wireless connectivity and modern interface conveniences.
  • A camera suitable for casual to enthusiast-level professional work.

• Choose the Sigma DP1 if you are:

  • A color scientist or fine art photographer seeking distinctive image signature.
  • Primarily shooting in good natural light, favoring landscapes or street.
  • Content with manual focus and limited features for pure image quality.
  • Interested in a humble, compact design prioritizing simplicity over speed.

Final Thoughts

While both cameras embody the “large sensor compact” idea, they represent entirely different photographic philosophies and eras. The Canon G5 X delivers a modern, user-friendly experience that balances image quality, speed, and flexibility - excellent for most enthusiasts and semi-pros needing a travel-ready, all-rounder tool. The Sigma DP1 remains an intriguing but niche camera, capable of exquisite color and sharpness if you are willing to work within its slower, manual-focused workflow.

My advice: try each in your shooting context. If you value convenience and adaptability, Canon's G5 X will rarely disappoint. But if you want to explore an alternative vision of image fidelity and enjoy a deliberate shooting pace, the Sigma DP1 is worth considering.

I hope my extensive testing and comparison help you make the best choice for your photographic journey.

Disclosure: I have no financial affiliation with Canon or Sigma. My assessments are based on hands-on testing and years of experience in the photography industry.