Sigma DP1s vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a camera that fits your photographic ambitions can feel overwhelming, especially when comparing two fundamentally different machines like the Sigma DP1s and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560. As someone who has tested thousands of cameras - from pro bodies to compacts - I find that real-world usage and technical nuance separate the merely good from the genuinely suited. In this detailed comparison, I will walk you through everything from sensor technology and image quality to ergonomics, usability, and genre-specific performance, helping you decide which camera could be best for your creative journey.

Let’s dive in.

Two Compact Contenders: Introducing the Sigma DP1s and Sony W560

At first glance, these two cameras couldn’t be more different in design philosophy, though both fall under the compact umbrella.

• Sigma DP1s is a large sensor compact, released in 2009, noted for its unique Foveon X3 sensor technology and a fixed 28mm equivalent lens. It’s a camera designed for photographers who appreciate image quality above all else and are willing to live without sleek video modes or fast autofocus.

• Sony DSC-W560, announced in 2011, is an ultracompact point-and-shoot with a 4x zoom (26-104mm equivalent), a small CCD sensor, and easy-to-use automatic controls targeting casual but versatile utilisateurs.

Understanding their physical difference lays the foundation for practical use assessment. Let’s take a look.

Here you see the Sigma DP1s, with a thicker body and chunky grip, standing beside the Sony W560 noticeably smaller and lighter. The Sigma’s more substantial handhold caters to photographers accustomed to deliberate composition, while Sony prioritizes pocketability.

Sensor Technology and Images: Divergent Approaches to Picture Quality

One of the first things I obsess over in testing cameras is the sensor - its size, type, and resolution collectively shape the image quality you ultimately get.

The Sigma DP1s sports an APS-C sized Foveon X3 CMOS sensor measuring 20.7 x 13.8 mm with a modest resolution of 5 megapixels. Uniquely, the Foveon sensor captures full color information at every pixel location by stacking three layers sensitive to different colors. This often yields images with superb color fidelity and sharpness compared to Bayer sensors at the same nominal resolution.

Meanwhile, the Sony W560 uses a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a much higher 14MP count. It relies on the traditional Bayer filter layout, which captures red, green, and blue at separate pixels.

It’s essential to clarify that bigger sensor size generally translates to better control over noise and dynamic range - qualities crucial in professional work or low-light situations - while the pixel count impacts resolution and detail.

To better conceptualize this, check the sensor size comparison below:

Notice how the DP1s’ sensor area (285 mm²) dwarfs the Sony’s (28 mm²). This difference is a primary reason why the Sigma can excel in color depth and dynamic range, despite its lower megapixel count.

However, the Sony’s greater megapixels allow for flexibility in cropping and larger prints, albeit with a trade-off in noise at high ISOs due to the smaller pixel size.

Ergonomics, Controls, and Handling: Which Camera Feels Right?

Ergonomics shouldn’t be overlooked. Cameras that feel comfortable encourage more shooting and better composition.

The Sigma DP1s is a classic large-sensor fixed-lens compact, with manual controls for shutter and aperture priority plus exposure compensation. But it has no autofocus points; the focusing is contrast-based and manual focus is a necessity. The LCD is small at 2.5 inches with just 230k-dot resolution, and there is no electronic viewfinder available.

The Sony W560 is all about simplicity and user-friendliness. It packs a larger 3-inch 230k-dot Clear Photo LCD, optical image stabilization, and nine autofocus points that cover various focusing modes.

Look at the thoughtful layout in the top design comparison:

Notice the Sigma’s minimalist button arrangement - the camera requires you to engage with the photography process deliberately, whereas the Sony W560 puts ease-of-use front and center with logical button placement and zoom controls.

For LCD and interface details, observe the following:

In low light or fast shooting, the Sony’s bigger, brighter screen is easier to see, but the Sigma’s smaller screen isn’t a showstopper given its intended audience of deliberate shooters who tend to compose carefully.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portrait work often demands natural, pleasing skin tones, smooth rendering of out-of-focus areas, and reliable eye detection autofocus to nail focus on the subject’s eyes.

The Sigma DP1s excels at skin tones thanks to the Foveon sensor’s ability to capture rich color detail, making skin appear natural and nuanced. Its fixed 28mm lens (equivalent to moderate wide-angle) can produce soft background blur at wide apertures, though it’s not as compressed as a longer portrait lens would provide.

Unfortunately, no autofocus points and no face or eye detection means you’ll need steady hands and patience to use manual focus effectively, particularly for close-up portraits.

The Sony W560, with autofocus and multi-area focusing, has an advantage in ease-of-use for capturing quick portraits, but its sensor and lens combination produces less creamy bokeh and less natural skin tones compared to Sigma.

For some side-by-side portraits from both cameras, consult the samples below:

Sigma DP1s screen back Sony W560 front Sony W560 screen back

You can spot the richer tonal gradations from the Sigma files, albeit at a lower resolution, versus the Sony’s sharper but flatter rendition.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution Considerations

Landscape photographers demand cameras that deliver high dynamic range to capture both shadow detail and bright highlights in complex scenes, plus sufficient resolution to crop or print large.

The Sigma DP1s’s APS-C sensor and Foveon layers often deliver superior dynamic range compared to Sony’s small-sensor CCD. This translates into more recoverable highlight and shadow detail, making the DP1s a great pick for landscapes with demanding light.

However, keep in mind the modest 5MP output - this means limited cropping latitude and print sizes.

Sony W560’s 14MP sensor offers higher native resolution but less dynamic range due to its smaller sensor size. The benefit is more flexibility in framing after the fact but potentially more noise in challenging light.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, a downside for landscape shooters exposed to the elements.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: AF Speed and Continuous Shooting

Chasing wildlife or fast-paced sports demands rapid autofocus, fast burst rates, and often longer focal lengths.

Here, the Sigma DP1s struggles. No phase detection AF, no continuous autofocus, no tracking, and no continuous shooting mode mean it’s not built for dynamic subject tracking or rapid-fire action.

The Sony W560, while no speed demon, offers 1 fps continuous shooting, nine autofocus points with contrast detection AF, and a 4x zoom lens reaching 104mm equivalence - handier for distant subjects.

Still, neither is ideal for serious wildlife or sports photography. They’re better suited for casual snapshots or stationary subjects.

Street Photography and Travel: Portability, Stealth, and Versatility

Street photography benefits from small, unobtrusive cameras with quick responsiveness and good low-light capabilities.

Thanks to its ultracompact size and lightweight build (110g), the Sony W560 feels more street-friendly. It’s pocketable, quick to shoot, and has adequate zoom range to adapt to different scenarios.

Sigma’s DP1s, though compact for a large-sensor camera, is thicker and heavier (270g). It’s more deliberate, demanding patience and slower operation - a different philosophy altogether.

When traveling, battery life, connectivity, and versatility matter too. Sony supports multiple memory card types, HDMI output, and Eye-Fi wireless (nearby Wi-Fi transfer), making it easier to share images on the go.

Both lack weather sealing but offering SD card slots is consistent.

Macro and Close-Up Work: Focusing Precision and Magnification

For macro enthusiasts, precise focusing and the ability to get close to the subject are critical.

Sony W560 features a macro mode with focusing down to 5 cm, supported by autofocus with multiple points, making it user-friendly to capture insects or small details.

The Sigma DP1s offers no dedicated macro mode, but the manual focus and high sensor resolution at base ISO can yield impressive detail for static subjects.

Neither camera has image stabilization (Sigma) or exceptionally close working distance for macro beyond Sony’s 5 cm limit.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Capabilities

Night photography demands strong high ISO performance to reduce noise and long exposure capabilities to capture stars or cityscapes.

The Sigma DP1s’s ISO tops out at 800 and supports shutter speeds as slow as 30 seconds, allowing for long exposures crucial for astro shots.

The Sony W560 extends ISO flexibility up to 3200 but only supports shutter speeds from 2 to 1600, limiting long exposure options.

Due to the much larger sensor, Sigma’s images retain more detail and less noise at night, making it a better choice for dedicated astro or night photographers willing to master manual settings.

Video: Are They Good for Moving Pictures?

If video is a priority, here’s where these cameras show their age and limitations.

The Sigma DP1s offers no video recording capabilities - not even basic.

The Sony W560 can record HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps using MPEG-4 format, modest but usable for casual clips.

Neither camera has microphone inputs or advanced video features, so neither is ideal for videography enthusiasts.

Build Quality, Battery, and Storage: Durability and Convenience

Neither camera offers weather sealing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing - so treat them with care outdoors.

On battery life, official figures are sparse for Sigma, but the Sony W560’s NP-BN1 battery delivers decent usage considering its compact size.

Storage-wise, both use SD cards, but Sony’s wider compatibility (including Memory Stick formats) offers more flexibility.

Connectivity-wise, Sony has USB 2.0 and HDMI output plus Eye-Fi wireless support, while Sigma only has USB 1.0 and no wireless options - something to consider if speedy image transfer matters.

A Visual Summary of Performance and User Suitability

To close the gap between specs and actual shooting experience, here are some overall performance ratings and genre-related scores I compiled after extensive hands-on testing.

Notice that Sigma shines mainly in image quality and portrait/landscape disciplines, while Sony scores higher on portability, ease of use, and versatility.

In Conclusion: Which Camera Suits Your Photography Style?

Pick the Sigma DP1s if:

• You prioritize top-tier color fidelity and dynamic range in a compact body.
• You prefer manual control and have patience for focusing and slower operation.
• Portrait and landscape photography with fine detail and tonal gradation excite you.
• You are okay with limited resolution for printing and no video support.
• Astro or night photography with long exposures appeals to you.

Choose the Sony W560 if:

• You need a pocketable, lightweight camera for everyday snapshots and travel.
• You want autofocus with multiple AF points and comfortable zoom range.
• Casual video recording in HD is a desirable add-on.
• Easy-to-use controls and minimal setup are critical.
• You seek a flexible camera for street, travel, and macro without fuss.

Final Thoughts: Personal Insight from Years Behind the Lens

I find the Sigma DP1s to be a gem for photographers who revel in the deliberateness of image-making - its Foveon sensor delivers colors and tonality that surprise even after a decade in the field. But it demands respect for its limitations: slow operation, lack of autofocus sophistication, and modest resolution.

The Sony W560, emblematic of early 2010s point-and-shoot convenience, remains a reliable little companion for casual shooters who want good images now without fiddling. It won’t impress at the pixel-peep level but ticks many boxes for versatility and fun.

If I were to keep one for ambitious personal projects, the Sigma DP1s edges ahead for image quality. For traveling light and spontaneous shooting, that Sony W560 stays in the bag.

I hope this comparison reveals the practical strengths and weaknesses of these interesting cameras, helping you find the tool best suited to your photographic goals. Remember: the best camera is ultimately the one that inspires you to create.

Happy shooting!