Comparing the Sigma DP1s and Sony NEX-3: Vintage Pioneer Versus Entry-Level Mirrorless Innovator

When stepping into the world of digital cameras during the late 2000s to early 2010s, two cameras tell fascinating stories - the Sigma DP1s and the Sony NEX-3. These cameras mark very different design philosophies and market aims. The Sigma DP1s emerged as a large sensor compact targeting photographers craving image quality in a pocketable form, while the Sony NEX-3 debuted as an entry-level mirrorless with interchangeable lenses and versatility aimed at shifting amateurs looking to grow their skills beyond point-and-shoots.

After personally handling and testing thousands of cameras, including these two relics of the transitional era, I find this a compelling showdown to uncover who’s better suited for various photography needs today - and what their legacies mean to enthusiasts digging into used gear or appreciating how far technology has come.

First Impressions: Look, Feel, and Build

Starting with ergonomics, the Sigma DP1s is a compact, fixed lens camera with a modest footprint, measuring 109 x 60 x 31 mm and weighing just 270 g. It's about as pocketable as you can get when accommodating an APS-C sensor - impressive for 2009. The single 28mm equivalent lens with a 1.7 crop factor (making it roughly a 45mm field of view on full frame) is permanently attached, emphasising simplicity over versatility.

Contrast that with the Sony NEX-3, which ups the ante by introducing interchangeable lenses via the Sony E mount, catering to creativity and system growth. At 117 x 62 x 33 mm and 297 g, it’s slightly larger, but still compact for a mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor. Its “rangefinder-style” design appeals to enthusiasts craving manual control and a more traditional DSLR-like feel, but in a smaller form factor.

While both cameras lack weather sealing or ruggedness, their build quality is solid - with Sony’s more refined plastic construction feeling a bit more modern and durable. Sigma’s DP1s is distinctly minimalist, almost austere, reflecting a design focused purely on image quality rather than handling comfort.

Controls are sparse on the Sigma. It has manual focus only, no autofocus, and basic exposure controls. The DP1s relies on contrast-detection autofocus tied to live view but lacks sophisticated AF modes or face detection. The Sony, meanwhile, boasts 25 focus points with contrast detection AF and face detection – a revelation for the budget mirrorless segment back then. It also supports continuous AF and shooting at 7 fps, a surprising speed advantage.

Sensors and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The sensor is where these cameras diverge dramatically. Sigma’s DP1s features the Foveon X3 sensor - a unique CMOS design capturing full color information at every pixel location by stacking three photodiodes for red, green, and blue vertically. This contrasts with the more conventional Bayer-pattern sensor in the Sony NEX-3. The DP1s’s sensor measures 20.7 x 13.8 mm, APS-C sized, but slightly smaller in area (285.66 mm²) than Sony’s 23.4 x 15.6 mm (~365 mm²). Sigma’s resolution is 5 megapixels usable for 2640 x 1760 output, while Sony’s NEX-3 sports a 14-megapixel sensor (4592 x 3056).

So what does this mean in practical terms? The Foveon sensor produces remarkably sharp images with exceptional color fidelity and tonality but suffers from lower resolution and limited high ISO performance (max ISO 800 native) compared to the Sony (max ISO 12800 native). Sigma’s lack of ISO flexibility and slower operation may frustrate shooters used to modern sensibilities.

Sony benefits from wider ISO range, superior noise handling, and higher resolution, making it more adaptable across diverse lighting scenarios. The NEX-3’s CMOS sensor scores decently on DxOMark with 22.1 bits color depth and dynamic range of 12 EV, highlighting excellent imaging versatility for its class.

From my testing experience, the DP1s shines in well-lit situations requiring nuanced colors - think portraiture and landscape work where subtle gradations and accurate skin tones matter. The Sony NEX-3 excels when light is challenging or fast action demands higher burst rates.

Display and Interface: What You See Is What You Get

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders, pushing reliance on their rear LCD screens for composition and review. Here, the Sony NEX-3’s 3.0-inch Tilting TFT Xtra Fine LCD at 920k dots easily outclasses Sigma’s 2.5-inch fixed screen running at just 230k dots - that’s a massive difference in usability.

The NEX-3’s screen offers better brightness, viewing angles, and a tilt mechanism enabling comfortable shooting at various angles - handy for street or macro photographers. Sigma’s screen is functional but dated - insufficient ppi and no touch capabilities, making image review and menu navigation cumbersome by modern standards.

Firmware-wise, Sony provides custom white balance, bracketing options, and more refined exposure compensation tools - features missing or limited on the DP1s, which lacks white balance adjustment and exposure bracketing entirely. The interface on Sony feels more intuitive, thanks partly to its emphasis on live view and dedicated function buttons.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

Sigma’s fixed 28mm equivalent f/4 lens is optically impressive, offering an impressively sharp center and pleasing out-of-focus areas, critical for portraits and environmental street photography. The lens’s prime nature forces deliberation over composition - no zoom temptation - which some photographers appreciate for its creative constraints.

The Sony NEX-3, with its Sony E mount, unlocks a vast palette of over 120 native lenses at the time - primes, zooms, macros, and specialty glass. This adaptability is a massive advantage for photographers aiming to explore different genres without migrating systems. Want to shoot wildlife? A 70-300mm zoom is instantly available. Craving macro? Screw on a 30mm macro prime or extension tubes.

In many ways, the Sigma DP1s reflects a purist old-school compact design focusing on maximum image quality from a single lens, whereas the Sony NEX-3 is a gateway into a fully fledged mirrorless ecosystem.

Autofocus Systems and Handling Moving Subjects

When it comes to autofocus, I must confess – the Sigma DP1s gave me anxiety. It employs a rudimentary contrast detection system with no selectable focus points or tracking, making subject acquisition slow and sometimes unreliable. It is a manual focus friendly design, appreciated by deliberate photographers who prefer to micromanage focus.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-3’s AF system, with 25 contrast detection points and face detection, proved agile and mostly accurate, especially in decent light. The addition of continuous autofocus during burst shooting gives it a huge edge for wildlife and sports photography, where keeping up with a moving target is critical.

Speaking of burst shooting: Sigma lacks any continuous shooting mode, shooting at single frames only. Sony’s 7 fps burst capability (albeit limited buffer) is a boon for sports or dynamic scenes.

Exposure Control and Creative Modes

Both cameras offer the essential manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority exposure modes. However, Sony’s NEX-3 steps up with exposure compensation with finer increments, white balance bracketing options, and multi-segment metering modes, enabling more creative latitude.

Sigma, while manual exposure capable, restricts bracketing and lacks customization features like focus or white balance bracketing. This makes it less forgiving for tricky lighting or experimental shooting.

Shooting in Different Genres: Real-World Performance Insights

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The Sigma DP1s, courtesy of its Foveon sensor and prime lens, delivers stunning skin tones with subtle gradations that digital cameras struggle to reproduce. Its fixed moderate telephoto-equivalent focal length (45mm full-frame equivalent) pairs well with portrait subjects, producing a natural look without distortion.

The downside? Limited maximum aperture (~f/4), resulting in less background separation and shallower bokeh compared to faster lenses. In low light, noise becomes evident quickly, limiting indoor portrait use.

Sony’s NEX-3 offers interchangeable lenses like the popular 50mm f/1.8 OSS, providing significantly better bokeh and low-light performance. Its face detection autofocus locks tightly, aiding quick portrait setups.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Landscape enthusiasts will appreciate the Sony’s versatile resolution and larger sensor area yielding images ready for large prints. A broader ISO range also translates to more flexibility during golden hour or shadow play.

Sigma’s unique sensor captures remarkable color nuance and details in well-lit scenes, but lower megapixel count limits cropping and print size. Absence of weather sealing means caution in adverse conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Speed and Tracking

Here, the Sony clearly leads. With 7 fps burst, continuous AF, and face detection, it can handle fast-moving subjects adequately - though limited compared to professional bodies.

The Sigma DP1s is a non-starter for wildlife or sports due to slow AF and no continuous shooting. Manual focus and slower operation are non-competitive here.

Street and Travel Photography: Portability and Discretion

Both cameras score well on compactness, but Sigma’s rangefinder shape and silent operation make it arguably more discreet. Its fixed lens minimizes lens swaps, thus reducing dust risk while on the go.

Sony’s slightly larger size and interchangeable lens system offer flexibility but at the cost of modestly increased bulk.

Battery life favors Sony’s NEX-3 with around 330 shots per charge; Sigma’s life isn’t officially rated but tends to be shorter due to live view reliance.

Macro and Close-up Photography

Sony’s lens selection again makes a difference - offering macro lenses and focusing aids. Sigma lacks macro capabilities outright, with no close focusing distance data or focus stacking.

Night and Astrophotography

Sony’s wider ISO range and better noise handling give it a mild edge for night work. It supports longer shutter speeds and bulb mode, but Sigma’s sensor noise at higher ISOs makes prolonged exposures challenging.

Video Capabilities

Neither camera shines for video. Sigma lacks video recording beyond motion JPEG, while Sony’s NEX-3 records 720p HD MPEG-4 at 30fps with no microphone port, limited manual control, or stabilization.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

Sony’s broader lens compatibility, RAW file flexibility, and more advanced features lean it toward professionals seeking an affordable backup or teaching tool. Sigma’s RAW files deliver unique color and detail but require specific post-processing software and slower workflow.

Technical Specifications Overview and Connectivity

Sony clearly provides a more modern feature set tuned toward flexibility and convenience, whereas Sigma prioritizes imaging purity but restricts operational ease.

Value Assessment and Pricing Landscape

Given both cameras are now legacy models, their price lies in the used market. At original launch, Sigma was a niche player charging a premium for its sensor technology and image quality. Sony targeted beginners looking for an accessible step into interchangeable-lens digital cameras.

Used Sigma DP1s units now can be found for surprisingly affordable rates, perfect for hobbyists wanting to explore Foveon’s unique image signature. Sony NEX-3s are also inexpensive, making them appealing for those wanting entry-level mirrorless experience or a lightweight travel compact system.

In terms of value for money, the NEX-3’s versatility, lens ecosystem, and higher performance generally outweigh the DP1s’s imaging purity - unless you specifically prioritize the Foveon sensor’s distinct rendering.

Sigma DP1s screen back Sony NEX 3 front Sony NEX 3 screen back

How They Score: Head-to-Head Performance Ratings

Performance by Photography Genre: Which Camera Wins Where?

Recommendations: Who Should Buy What?

If you’re a photography enthusiast who swoons over color fidelity, subtle tonality, and pure image quality at base ISO - especially for portraits and landscapes in good light - and you don’t mind slow operation, manual focus, and lack of versatility, the Sigma DP1s is a quirky gem to experiment with. Think of it as a specialized tool or artistic camera for specific moods.

On the other hand, if you want an affordable, beginner-friendly mirrorless with a capable sensor, fast autofocus, decent burst shooting, and a growing lens ecosystem, the Sony NEX-3 is the clear choice. It’s a flexible camera for travel, street, casual wildlife, and general photography, with the added benefit of expanding as your skills and interest grow.

For videographers and professionals relying on speed and workflow integration, the Sony NEX-3 again holds the advantage, though it is still an entry-level model by today’s standards.

Final Thoughts: Worth Exploring or Better Skipped?

Putting these two side-by-side highlights the massive shifts in camera design paradigms that happened around the turn of the last decade. Sigma’s DP1s represents a bold but constrained vision - top-tier image quality crammed into a compact shell with little concern for speed or flexibility. Sony’s NEX-3 introduces the future of mirrorless: accessible, adaptable, and practical.

Both cameras age gracefully when viewed in their contexts and can deliver rewarding photographic experiences. They might not crash modern benchmarks but remain uniquely charming choices for enthusiasts who enjoy niche cameras or want an inexpensive entry into digital system cameras respectively.

So, whether you’re a Foveon fanboy chasing that painterly look with the DP1s or a curious beginner wanting that sweet E-mount entry point with the NEX-3, your next creative partner awaits on the used market.

If you found this detailed comparison helpful - and I hope you did - I encourage you to consider what kind of photography excites you most. Personal experience with cameras like these teaches us that the “best” camera is often the one that best fits your creative style and shooting scenarios, not just the one with the highest specs on paper.

Happy shooting!