Olympus E-3 vs Sigma SD9
56 Imaging
44 Features
56 Overall
48


54 Imaging
38 Features
27 Overall
33
Olympus E-3 vs Sigma SD9 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
- Launched February 2008
- Replaced the Olympus E-1
- Refreshed by Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
- 3MP - APS-C Sensor
- 1.8" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 400
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
- Introduced November 2002
- Successor is Sigma SD10

Olympus E-3 vs Sigma SD9 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-3 and Sigma SD9, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Sigma. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and SD9 (3MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and SD9 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

The E-3 was announced 5 years later than the SD9 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-3 scores versus the SD9 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-3 vs Sigma SD9 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-3 and Sigma SD9. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-3 Gallery and Sigma SD9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Sigma SD9
E-3 | SD9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2008 | ![]() | November 2002 | More recent by 64 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 2.5" | ![]() | 1.8" | Larger display (+0.7") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 130k | Sharper display (+100k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Olympus E-3
SD9 | E-3 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Sigma SD9
E-3 | SD9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Olympus E-3 vs Sigma SD9 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-3 enjoys outside dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD9 has specifications of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") along with a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-3 and Sigma SD9 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-3 compared to the SD9.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and SD9 is 56 and 54 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Sigma SD9 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by reading through specifications. The visual underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and SD9.
To sum up, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-3 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Olympus E-3 will give you greater detail with its extra 7 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher E-3 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-3 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Sigma SD9 Specifications
Olympus E-3 | Sigma SD9 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sigma |
Model | Olympus E-3 | Sigma SD9 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2008-02-20 | 2002-11-26 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic III | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS (Foveon X3) |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 20.7 x 13.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 285.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 3 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 2268 x 1512 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sigma SA |
Available lenses | 45 | 76 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.7 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inches | 1.8 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 130k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 98 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.77x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | - |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Highest video resolution | None | None |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 890 gr (1.96 lbs) | 950 gr (2.09 lbs) |
Dimensions | 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 56 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.6 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.5 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 571 | not tested |
Other | ||
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Compact Flash Type I or II |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $670 | $3,001 |