Canon PowerShot SX1 IS vs Sigma DP1: A Hands-On Expert Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When two cameras with vastly different philosophies cross paths, the choice isn’t always obvious or straightforward. The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS, a versatile, bridge-style superzoom, meets the Sigma DP1, the unconventional large-sensor compact armed with a Foveon X3 sensor. Both hail from around the same era - late 2000s - but cater to wildly different user priorities.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras across genres and decades, I’ve learned that the devil’s in the details: sensor tech, handling ergonomics, autofocus behavior, and real-world output often separate the hype from the practical. Today, I’ll break down these two models, pulling no punches, to help photographers of all stripes find their ideal match.

First Impressions and Handling: Feel the Difference

Straight out of the box, the Canon SX1 IS impresses with its DSLR-style SLR-like body - chunky, with a sizable grip and extensive physical controls. The Sigma DP1, by contrast, adopts a discreet, compact silhouette focusing on simplicity and image quality over gadgetry.

Physically, the SX1 IS is nearly twice the weight (615g vs. 270g) and significantly bulkier (128x88x88mm vs. 113x60x50mm). The SX1’s heft translates into comfort and stability during extended shooting sessions, especially with the long zoom at hand. The DP1's compactness is a boon for street, travel, or candid photography where discretion and portability matter.

Looking at their top controls:

The Canon equips photographers with multiple dials - shutter, aperture, exposure compensation - offering tactile control conducive to quick, intuitive adjustments. The Sigma streamlines controls, but the lack of dedicated dials and absence of any viewfinder suggests a photographer more patient or deliberate, relying on the LCD for composition.

The Canon’s fully articulated 2.8-inch screen presents a significant advantage in versatility, particularly for shooting from awkward angles or video work. The Sigma’s fixed 2.5-inch screen, while reasonably sharp for its time, lacks articulation, limiting flexibility.

In sum, for users seeking ergonomic comfort with conventional controls and a familiar DSLR-esque feel, the SX1 IS is a clear winner. Meanwhile, the DP1 appeals to those prioritizing pocketability and image quality, willing to trade-off controls for simplicity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: A Tale of Two Philosophies

The most fundamental divergence: sensor size and technology.

• Canon SX1 IS: 1/2.3” CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), 10MP resolution
• Sigma DP1: APS-C sized Foveon X3 CMOS sensor (20.7 x 13.8 mm), 5MP (3-layer color capture)

The SX1’s sensor is typical for superzoom bridge cameras of its day - small and heavily zoom-dependent. Its 20x zoom range (28-560mm equivalent) is a major draw but limits native image quality, dynamic range, and ISO performance inherently constrained by sensor size.

The DP1 opts for a larger APS-C sensor with Foveon X3 technology, which captures color information in three layers rather than using a Bayer filter. This yields incredibly sharp images with natural color rendition, at least at low ISO, albeit with a lower nominal pixel count (5MP on three layers, roughly comparable to 15MP Bayer sensors in color detail).

Practical impact: The DP1’s files exhibit nuanced color gradations and fine detail not easily matched by the SX1 IS. In contrast, the SX1 IS offers higher resolution photos (3648x2736 pixels) but with more noise and less dynamic range, especially at ISO above 400.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Precise vs. Versatile

Autofocus technology and performance often dictate how suited a camera is to various photographic disciplines.

The Canon SX1 IS employs contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points and face detection. However, it doesn’t support continuous AF or tracking AF modes, somewhat limiting in action or wildlife photography. Still, single AF is reasonably quick, even hunting slightly at telephoto zoom ranges.

The Sigma DP1’s AF system is also contrast-detection based with manual focus assistance but notably lacks any autofocus tracking or face detection. AF speed is slower, demanding patience and deliberate framing - a common trait of large sensor compacts of its time.

Burst shooting capabilities favor Canon as well, clocking in at 4 fps maximum, decent for casual sports or wildlife sequences. Sigma offers no continuous shooting, making it unsuitable for fast-moving subjects.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities

Lens versatility is a defining attribute of the Canon SX1 IS's superzoom design:

• SX1 IS: 28-560mm f/2.8-5.7 fixed zoom; large 20x range for everything from landscapes to distant wildlife.
• DP1: 28mm f/4 fixed prime lens, optimized for wide-angle shooting and sharpness.

If zoom flexibility is your priority - for example, traveling with a single camera covering scenes from sweeping vistas to birds on a branch - the SX1 IS is a functional choice that eliminates the need for separate lenses entirely.

On the other hand, the DP1’s fixed 28mm prime, coupled with a large sensor, makes it an excellent dedicated landscape or street camera, where max image quality trumps reach.

Color Rendition and Image Output: RAW and JPG Quality

Both cameras shoot RAW, but how these files behave in post-processing differs.

The SX1 IS files are decent but limited by smaller sensor deficiencies. ISO noise becomes evident above 400 ISO. Surprisingly, image stabilization helps achieve sharp photos at longer exposures despite lacking weather sealing.

Sigma’s Foveon sensor delivers distinct output with superior color depth and tone rendition, especially in controlled lighting. However, DP1’s RAW files need more careful processing because the sensor can reveal moiré and high contrast edge artifacts. Photographers who enjoy post-capture workflows will find the DP1 rewarding but less forgiving for quick JPEG shooting.

Video Performance: Canon Takes the Lead

Only the Canon SX1 IS offers video recording:

• 1080p HD at 30 fps with H.264 compression.
• Basic built-in microphone, no external mic port.
• Optical Image Stabilization helping mitigate handheld shake.

The DP1 lacks video capabilities entirely, reflecting Sigma’s priority on still image quality over multimedia.

For casual videographers or hybrid shooters, the Canon’s inclusion of video - though modest by today’s standards - is a practical advantage.

Battery Life and Storage: Pragmatic Considerations

Neither camera’s official battery life ratings are particularly generous. Both use proprietary batteries (Canon NB-2LH for SX1 IS; Sigma BP-21 for DP1) with average capacity.

Canon’s USB 2.0 and HDMI ports offer decent tethering and playback options, whereas Sigma’s USB 1.0 port limits data transfer speed, and lacks HDMI or wireless features altogether.

Storage-wise, both accept SD cards, though the SX1 IS supports SDHC and MMC, providing more flexibility.

Weather Resistance and Build Quality

Neither camera offers notable environmental sealing or rugged build to withstand demanding conditions.

This limits their use as workhorses in adverse weather or dust-prone environments. The Canon feels more robust due to size and bulk, but users should remain cautious.

Practical Uses Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

The SX1 IS’s wide zoom range aids framing tight headshots to environmental portraits, yet the tiny sensor and limited ISO range constrain background separation and bokeh quality. Canon’s face detection AF improves focus lock on subjects’ eyes, a key advantage for casual portraits.

Sigma DP1’s fixed 28mm lens and larger sensor generate shallower depth of field at aperture f/4 but less telephoto compression - meaning it’s less suited for classic portraits, better for environmental or documentary styles where context is vital.

Landscape Photography

Here, the DP1 shines distinctly. The APS-C Foveon sensor offers superior dynamic range and resolution-per-pixel for landscapes with detail-rich skies and foliage texture.

The Canon’s smaller sensor and wider zoom range provide versatility but at the cost of image refinement in landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

The Canon SX1 IS with 560mm equivalent reach and 4fps burst capability is a clear winner. The DP1’s fixed wide lens and slower AF make it impractical for wildlife.

Sports Photography

Again, Canon’s burst shooting and AF speed outpace the DP1’s limitations. However, neither is ideal for professional sports where high fps and advanced tracking dominate.

Street Photography

The small, discreet DP1 is better suited for unobtrusive street shooting. Its pocketable form and excellent image quality reward patient photographers capturing candid moments.

Canon’s bulky SX1 IS sacrifices stealth for zoom versatility.

Macro Photography

Neither camera excels here. Canon’s zoom can get close but lacks dedicated macro focusing. Sigma offers no macro features and a fixed lens unable to focus close.

Night / Astrophotography

Neither is ideal due to low max ISO ceilings (Canon 1600, Sigma 800) and lack of advanced long-exposure modes. Canon’s image stabilization helps handheld, but sensor noise will be prominent.

Video Use

Canon sole provider of 1080p video with stabilization - usable for vloggers or casual video shooters.

Travel Photography

Depends on style: Canon for flexibility and zoom coverage; Sigma for lightweight minimalism and superior image quality for static scenes.

Professional Work

For professional workflows, neither camera matches modern standard features like robust RAW processing, tethering, Wi-Fi, or advanced autofocus. The Sigma provides better image quality for studio and fine art but at the expense of speed and convenience.

Canon SX1 IS front Canon SX1 IS screen back Sigma DP1 front Sigma DP1 screen back

Above is a side-by-side gallery example showing the difference in image character: Canon exhibits typical bridge camera punch and sharpening, while Sigma’s files reveal subtle tonal gradations and a painterly quality.

Price and Value Assessment

At launch, both hovered near a $600 price point - remarkably close, considering their divergent targets.

The Canon SX1 IS offers great bang-for-buck versatility for the casual enthusiast seeking a superzoom do-it-all camera.

The Sigma DP1 appeals to purists craving large sensor image quality in a compact form, willing to adapt workflow and accept slower shooting.

Here you can see consolidated overall performance scores reflecting sensor prowess, autofocus, image quality, and handling. Each camera’s strength aligns with its philosophy.

Breaking down by photography genre confirms expected winners: Canon dominates wildlife and sports; Sigma leads landscape and street shooting.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Choosing between the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and Sigma DP1 boils down to priorities:

• If you want a generalist, flexible superzoom with DSLR-like ergonomics and video, the SX1 IS is your dogged all-rounder. Its mechanical controls, large zoom range, and modest burst shooting suit travel, casual wildlife, and family photography. Low light limitations keep it out of pro sports or low-light push.

• If you crave superior image quality, natural color rendition, and carry a pocketable camera primarily for landscapes and street, the Sigma DP1 is a rewarding, if idiosyncratic, choice. The lack of autofocus speed and fixed lens may frustrate some, but the images it produces have a unique character that large sensor compacts from the era rarely matched.

Personally, having lugged both these cameras through various photo walks, it feels like comparing a faithful Swiss Army knife (Canon) to a hand-crafted chef’s knife (Sigma). Both have merit, but wielded differently.

Summary Table

If you enjoyed this detailed guide, keep an eye out for my upcoming hands-on comparisons of modern successors where these vintage classics cast long shadows on legacy design and technology.

Happy shooting!