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Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99

Portability
87
Imaging
43
Features
30
Overall
37
Sigma DP1 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99 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
  • Later Model is Sigma DP1s
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Launched December 2012
  • Older Model is Sony A900
  • Successor is Sony A99 II
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Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Sigma DP1 versus Sony A99, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Sigma and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the DP1 (5MP) and A99 (24MP) and the DP1 (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) boast different sensor measurements.

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The DP1 was introduced 5 years before the A99 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sigma DP1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the DP1 scores versus the A99 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 over the Sony A99

 DP1 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Sigma DP1

 A99 DP1 
LaunchedDecember 2012May 2008Fresher by 55 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1229k230kCrisper display (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sigma DP1 and Sony A99

 DP1 A99 
Focus manually More precise focus
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Sigma DP1 enjoys exterior dimensions of 113mm x 60mm x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Sony A99 has sizing of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Check the Sigma DP1 versus Sony A99 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the DP1 versus the A99.

Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the DP1 and A99 is 87 and 57 respectively.

Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing only by viewing specifications. The photograph below may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP1 and A99.

To sum up, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The DP1 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Sony A99 will result in greater detail using its extra 19MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively. The older DP1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A99 as a Portrait photography camera
55
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (5 megapixels)
81
has manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP1
Street photography with Sony A99
64
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (270g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
maximum ISO low (800)
75
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A99 Sports photography highlights
31
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
fixed focal length (28mm)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (5 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery pack (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competition in class (270 grams)
flash built-in
very good max aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (5 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (24MP)
selfie friendly screen
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery pack (500 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 Landscape photography information
Sony A99 Landscape photography information
44
focusing manually
very good max aperture (f)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
small screen (2.5 inch)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (5MP)
maximum ISO low (800)
does not have Timelapse recording
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
bad battery pack (500 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Vlogging highlights
Sony A99 Vlogging highlights
9
no video
76
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone jack
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Sigma DP1 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 and Sony A99
 Sigma DP1Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP1 Sony SLT-A99
Type Large Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-05-19 2012-12-12
Body design Large Sensor Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 20.7 x 13.8mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 285.7mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2640 x 1760 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 270 gr (0.60 lb) 812 gr (1.79 lb)
Physical dimensions 113 x 60 x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 89
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC card Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots Single Dual
Launch price $566 $1,998