Clicky

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1

Portability
87
Imaging
43
Features
30
Overall
37
Sigma DP1 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Sigma DP1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 800
  • No Video
  • 28mm (F) lens
  • 270g - 113 x 60 x 50mm
  • Revealed May 2008
  • Refreshed by Sigma DP1s
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
Supernova astonishes astronomers in ancient 12th century observations

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the DP1 (5MP) and a1 (50MP) and the DP1 (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The DP1 was brought out 13 years earlier than the a1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the DP1 scores versus the a1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 over the Sony a1

 DP1 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sigma DP1

 a1 DP1 
LaunchedJanuary 2021May 2008More modern by 154 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1440k230kCrisper display (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sigma DP1 and Sony a1

 DP1 a1 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sigma DP1 offers outer dimensions of 113mm x 60mm x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Look at the Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the DP1 versus the a1.

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the DP1 and a1 is 87 and 61 respectively.

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to see the difference in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The image here might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP1 and a1.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The DP1 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sony a1 will result in more detail having its extra 45MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged DP1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
YouTube trialing AI that fast-forwards to the best video segments

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Portrait photography features
Sony a1 Portrait photography features
55
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low MP (5 megapixels)
89
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/400s)
fantastic MP (50MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Sigma DP1 Street photography highlights
Sony a1 Street photography highlights
64
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (270 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
low maximum ISO (800)
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment proof
great ISO range (32,000)
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Sports photography details
Sony a1 Sports photography details
31
sensor size is good (APS-C)
fixed focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
lack of phase detect auto focus
91
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (50MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
great battery life (530 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma DP1
Travel photography with Sony a1
63
lighter than competition (270g)
flash built-in
great max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse recording
low MP (5 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
74
great battery life (530 CIPA)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
fantastic MP (50MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony a1 Landscape photography highlights
44
has manual focus
great max aperture (f)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
small screen (2.5")
lack of image stabilization
low MP (5MP)
low maximum ISO (800)
missing Timelapse recording
88
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (50MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
great battery life (530 CIPA)
2 card slots
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma DP1
Vlogging with Sony a1
9
lack of video recording
37
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
great video quality (7680 x 4320 pixels)
includes microphone support
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sigma DP1 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 and Sony a1
 Sigma DP1Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP1 Sony Alpha a1
Type Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2008-05-19 2021-01-26
Physical type Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 20.7 x 13.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 285.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 50MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2640 x 1760 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 800 32000
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 759
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Total lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution None 7680x4320
Video data format - XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 270g (0.60 lbs) 737g (1.62 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 60 x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots One Two
Launch pricing $566 $6,498