Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sigma. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and SD9 (3MP) and the XG-1 (1/2.3") and SD9 (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

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The XG-1 was revealed 11 years later than the SD9 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sigma SD9 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the XG-1 matches up vs the SD9 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax XG-1 & Sigma SD9. The full galleries are available at Pentax XG-1 Gallery & Sigma SD9 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax XG-1 offers outside dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sigma SD9 has measurements of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") and a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).

Check out the Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the XG-1 against the SD9.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and SD9 is 66 and 54 respectively.

Oftentimes, its hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reading through specifications. The visual below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the XG-1 and SD9.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The XG-1 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax XG-1 will give more detail because of its extra 13 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more modern XG-1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.