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Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sigma SD9 front
Portability
54
Imaging
38
Features
27
Overall
33

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Launched July 2014
Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Revealed November 2002
  • Successor is Sigma SD10
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 Overview

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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sigma SD9

 XG-1 SD9 
RevealedJuly 2014November 2002More recent by 142 months
Screen sizing3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution460k130kClearer screen (+330k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Pentax XG-1

 SD9 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sigma SD9

 XG-1 SD9 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 Physical Comparison

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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 size comparison

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

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 Sensor Comparison

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.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax XG-1
Portrait photography with Sigma SD9
40
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
46
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (3MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax XG-1
Street photography with Sigma SD9
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than average in class (567g)
43
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (950g)
low max ISO (400)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography features
Sigma SD9 Sports photography features
45
incredible zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (240 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
35
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (3 megapixels)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax XG-1
Travel photography with Sigma SD9
52
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery (240 per charge)
heavier than average in class (567g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
29
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (950g)
megapixel count low (3 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax XG-1
Landscape photography with Sigma SD9
45
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery (240 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
40
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (1.8 inch)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (3 megapixels)
low max ISO (400)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
Vlogging with Sigma SD9
25
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
heavier than average in class (567 grams)
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sigma SD9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sigma SD9
 Pentax XG-1Sigma SD9
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax XG-1 Sigma SD9
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-07-15 2002-11-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 3 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 2268 x 1512
Max native ISO 3200 400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sigma SA
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 76
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.7
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 1.8 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 130k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot -
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.77x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 9.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 567 grams (1.25 lbs) 950 grams (2.09 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model LB-060 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC Compact Flash Type I or II
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $599 $3,001