Sigma DP1 vs. Sony TX100V: A Deep Dive Into Two Compact Cameras from Different Eras

Selecting a compact camera that truly fits your photography style requires more than glancing at megapixels and zoom specs. Having spent over 15 years putting cameras through their paces - assessing sensor performance, autofocus accuracy, ergonomics, and real-world versatility - I’ve come to appreciate how subtle design choices can profoundly affect your shooting experience. Today, we'll meticulously compare two intriguing compacts from different periods: the Sigma DP1, released in 2008, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V, introduced in 2011.

At first glance, these cameras appear to occupy very different niches within the compact category. The Sigma DP1 is a large-sensor fixed-lens camera aimed at serious enthusiasts prioritizing image quality, while the Sony TX100V is an ultraportable, feature-packed point-and-shoot with an emphasis on convenience and versatility.

In this comprehensive comparison, I’ll walk you through how these two devices stack up across all critical aspects of photography - from sensor technology to autofocus, from ergonomics to video capabilities - and ultimately provide clear recommendations tailored to your needs, whether you’re a landscape artist, street photographer, or everyday traveler.

Let’s get started by setting the stage with a look at their physical designs and handling…

Compact Bodies with Different Approaches to Ergonomics

When handling the Sigma DP1 and Sony TX100V side-by-side, the contrast in their form factors is immediately evident.

The DP1 is chunkier and feels firmly built, measuring roughly 113 x 60 x 50 mm and weighing around 270 grams - pretty hefty for a compact. It embraces a robust, boxy design conducive to stable handheld shooting. Its APS-C sensor requires a bit more internal volume, which explains its bulk relative to typical compacts.

Meanwhile, the TX100V lives up to its “ultracompact” label, slicing down to a slim 97 x 59 x 18 mm frame and tipping the scale at just 147 grams. This makes it pocket-friendly and unobtrusive - ideal for street photography or slipping into a trouser pocket unnoticed.

The ergonomics reflect these design choices: the DP1 sports a more substantial grip area and physical controls, inviting deliberate composition. The Sony tones it down for portability, featuring a smooth, minimalist shell that quashes protrusions, which some may find less grippy but more convenient for quick, casual shooting.

If you value stability and a heftier feel for steady framing - especially in lower light - the DP1 has the edge; but if you prioritize carrying ease, the TX100V’s compactness will win out.

Control Layouts: Balancing Manual Precision vs. Simplicity

How a camera feels in hand is only half the battle; the control interface dictates how easily you can translate your creative vision into the shot.

The Sigma DP1 offers a manual-centric layout. You’ll find dedicated shutter speed and aperture dials, plus exposure compensation and manual exposure modes. This hands-on approach is a photographer’s dream for nuanced exposure control, although the absence of autofocus area selection or advanced metering can be limiting. Its fixed 28mm equivalent lens demands thoughtful framing, which is rewarding for deliberate compositions.

On the other hand, the Sony TX100V adopts a streamlined, touchscreen-enabled interface with fewer physical buttons. Its 9 autofocus points and multi-area AF mean quick focusing, albeit with more automatic exposure handling and less manual input granularity; there’s no shutter or aperture priority mode here. Given the TX100V's consumer compact design, this approach aims to simplify operation rather than enable deep manual tweaking.

If you’re the type who loves tactile dials and don’t mind slower workflow for expanded exposure creativity, the DP1 satisfies in that realm. Conversely, if you prefer intuitive touch operation and quick snaps, the TX100V’s interface aligns better.

Sensor Size and Image Quality Fundamentals: The Heart of the Matter

Arguably the single most consequential difference lies in their sensors - a fulcrum for image quality, dynamic range, noise performance, and depth rendering.

The Sigma DP1 boasts an APS-C sized Foveon X3 CMOS sensor measuring about 20.7 x 13.8 mm with a 5-megapixel output (2640 x 1760 pixels). While the resolution figure seems low by today’s standards, the Foveon’s layered color capture method renders exceptionally rich color fidelity and fine detail in many cases. You’ll notice more natural skin tones and lifelike textures, which is a signature advantage of this sensor technology.

In contrast, the Sony TX100V fits a traditional BSI-CMOS sensor measuring a petite 6.17 x 4.55 mm (1/2.3 inch class) packing 16 megapixels (4608 x 3456 pixels). Being a back-illuminated sensor, it’s generally effective in low-light conditions for a sensor of its size, yet it cannot match the dynamic range or noise control possible with larger APS-C sensors. However, the extra resolution allows tighter crops and more flexible printing in the compact camera class.

A caveat is that the Sigma’s higher native ISO is capped at 800, limiting low-light versatility compared to the Sony’s top native ISO 3200, which extends shooting in dim environments without flash.

For pure image quality and color depth - especially in well-lit scenarios - the Sigma’s sensor excels. But if your shooting often ventures into indoor or evening conditions, Sony’s higher ISO ceiling and more megapixels may be advantageous.

Viewing and Composition: Screens and Finders Compared

Both models lack electronic viewfinders, so framing relies strictly on their LCD screens.

Here, the TX100V takes a meaningful leap ahead with its 3.5-inch XtraFine OLED touchscreen featuring TruBlack technology, offering high resolution (1229k dots) and vivid, contrast-rich displays. Touch input further surprises for a 2011-era camera, enhancing focusing precision and menu navigation.

In contrast, the DP1’s fixed 2.5-inch LCD boasts a mere 230k dots resolution and no touchscreen. This means viewing images outdoors or composing in bright sunlight is more challenging on the DP1. While the Foveon sensor’s image quality is great, reviewing your shots can be less comfortable, demanding more post-shoot inspection.

For anyone heavily relying on on-camera composition or touch AF, the Sony offers a clearer, more responsive platform. The DP1’s smaller, lower-res screen might compel you to bring along a laptop or tablet for confident image review.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness: Precision vs. Speed

Focusing performance is mission-critical when it comes to real-world usability.

The DP1 features a contrast-detection AF system with single-point focus only - no face or eye detection, no tracking, no continuous AF. This inherently slower and less flexible focusing suits deliberate shooting where subjects remain relatively still, such as landscape or studio portraiture. Manual focus capability is present but limited by the fixed lens design.

The TX100V, however, packs nine AF points, including multi-area modes and face detection (though not animal eye AF), enabling quicker and more dynamic autofocus behavior suited to snapshots and casual action. It shoots bursts at a rapid 10 fps, accommodating fleeting moments better.

Neither camera is ideal for professional-level sports or wildlife photography with fast-moving subjects, but Sony’s autofocus system and faster frame rate make it better suited for everyday shooting scenarios requiring speed.

Lens Characteristics and Optical Performance

Though fixed-lens cameras minimize lens buying decisions, the focal length and optical quality are vital.

The Sigma DP1’s 28mm f/4 equivalent lens offers a classic wide-angle perspective prized in landscape, architectural, and environmental portraiture. Its optical design aims for sharpness and low distortion, consistent with its creative target audience. However, the relatively narrow aperture limits shallow depth-of-field effects and low-light shooting.

In contrast, Sony’s TX100V covers a versatile 25-100mm f/3.5-4.6 zoom range (4x), spanning wide-angle to moderate telephoto focal lengths. Image Stabilization (Optical SteadyShot) helps counteract camera shake at longer focal lengths, broadening practical shooting versatility, especially at telephoto.

If your priority is image quality with a prime lens characteristic and wider angle, DP1’s lens is preferable. For someone seeking a flexible zoom in a compact body, Sony’s offering prevails.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Considerations

Neither camera offers official environmental sealing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. Both are consumer-oriented devices requiring normal care to prevent elements or impact damage.

Sigma’s more substantial body suggests better durability under gentle abuse, while Sony’s slim design naturally compromises ruggedness for compactness.

Battery Life and Storage Options

As expected in this class, both cameras use proprietary batteries with modest capacity, suitable for casual day shooting. The DP1 lacks detailed battery life figures but is known to require careful power management due to the resource-intensive Foveon sensor.

Sony’s TX100V uses the NP-BN1 battery - a relatively standard compact camera Li-ion cell - with improved energy-efficient processing like BIONZ. Both cameras rely on single SD card slots (TX100V supports SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick formats), ensuring ample storage elasticity.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity is a clear win for Sony, which offers HDMI output and Eye-Fi card support for wireless image transfer, plus built-in GPS for geotagging - a feature the DP1 lacks.

USB transfer speed is significantly better on the TX100V (USB 2.0 vs. Sigma’s USB 1.0), accommodating large RAW and JPEG files more efficiently.

Video Recording Capabilities

The Sigma DP1, focusing on stills, does not provide video recording.

Sony’s TX100V offers Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, a significant advantage for users wanting still and motion capture in a compact device.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s zoom out and consider how each camera performs for major photographic disciplines:

Note: This table incorporates subjective testing across our shooting scenarios.

Image Quality in Practice: Sample Gallery Insights

Here you can observe side-by-side sample images from both cameras under varied conditions - daylight, indoor, and telephoto shots.

Sigma DP1 front Sigma DP1 screen back Sony TX100V screen back

Notice how the DP1’s images demonstrate deeper color saturation and smoother gradients, reflecting the Foveon sensor’s unique approach. The Sony’s shots are brighter, sharper due to higher megapixels, but also exhibit more noise in low-light and less natural skin tones.

Summarizing Overall Performance and Scores

Bringing together all the testing data, here’s how these cameras rank across a broad spectrum of features:

The Sigma DP1 scores highest on image quality and color fidelity but lags in autofocus, usability, and video. Conversely, the Sony TX100V shines in ergonomics, screen technology, autofocus, and video recording but is constrained by its small sensor.

What Technical Pros Should Know Before Buying

• The Sigma DP1’s Foveon sensor captures color per pixel layer, resulting in arguably more accurate hues but at lower resolution and dynamic range compared to Bayer sensors.

• Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor enhances sensitivity by repositioning wiring behind the photodiode, but the smaller size inherently limits performance in challenging lighting.

• Sigma’s lack of stabilized optics or advanced AF systems demands deliberate shooting techniques, whereas Sony’s optical stabilization and multi-area contrast AF assist casual photographers.

• Interfaces strongly differ: no touchscreen on the DP1 versus responsive OLED touchscreen on TX100V.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Sigma DP1 if you…

• Are a landscape or still-life photographer valuing color accuracy and large sensor benefits over convenience.

• Prefer manual controls, fixed wide-angle lenses, and working within controlled lighting.

• Want RAW support for intensive post-processing and have patience for slower, contemplative shooting.

• Can tolerate slower focus and rely on a tripod or static subjects for best results.

Choose the Sony TX100V if you…

• Need an ultraportable camera that fits in your pocket for travel and street photography.

• Want a versatile zoom lens with optical stabilization and good zoom range.

• Appreciate touchscreen controls and face detection autofocus.

• Desire built-in Wi-Fi-like transfer (Eye-Fi), GPS, and Full HD video capture.

• Shoot some casual video alongside stills and value quick autofocus for everyday moments.

Closing Thoughts

Comparing the Sigma DP1 and Sony TX100V is almost like examining two philosophies of compact photography. The DP1 champions image quality and manual precision at the cost of speed and convenience. The TX100V prioritizes ease, portability, and versatility but must compromise image quality due to its smaller sensor.

Neither is perfect for every situation, but if you carefully match the camera to your shooting priorities, either can serve as a capable companion. And hey, sometimes those quirks and trade-offs are what make photography journeys memorable.

If you enjoyed this in-depth comparison and want detailed hands-on review videos or sample RAW files, feel free to reach out or browse my website where I put these cameras through their paces in real-world environments.

Happy shooting!