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Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500

Portability
88
Imaging
44
Features
27
Overall
37
Sigma DP1x front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Sigma DP1x
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 320 x 240 video
  • 28mm (F4.0) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 60 x 50mm
  • Launched February 2010
  • Succeeded the Sigma DP1s
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed August 2009
  • Renewed by Sony A560
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Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Sigma DP1x versus Sony A500, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the DP1x (5MP) and A500 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The DP1x was announced 6 months after the A500 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP1x being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the DP1x matches up versus the A500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1x over the Sony A500

 DP1x A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sigma DP1x

 A500 DP1x 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Sigma DP1x and Sony A500

 DP1x A500 
RevealedFebruary 2010August 2009Same generation
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Sigma DP1x offers external measurements of 113mm x 60mm x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Sigma DP1x versus Sony A500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the DP1x against the A500.

Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the DP1x and A500 is 88 and 63 respectively.

Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out specs. The pic below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the DP1x and A500.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Sony A500 to show greater detail with its extra 7MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1x Portrait photography factors
Sony A500 Portrait photography factors
56
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (5 megapixels)
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP1x Street photography advice
Sony A500 Street photography advice
68
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average in class (250g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1x Sports photography info
Sony A500 Sports photography info
32
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (520 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1x Travel photography advice
Sony A500 Travel photography advice
57
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f4.0)
43
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (520 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1x Landscape photography advice
Sony A500 Landscape photography advice
41
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f4.0)
small screen (2.5 inches)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (520 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma DP1x
Vlogging with Sony A500
25
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f4.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (320 x 240 pxls)
missing mic support
9
can't record video
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Sigma DP1x vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1x and Sony A500
 Sigma DP1xSony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP1x Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-02-20 2009-08-27
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip True II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 20.7 x 13.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 285.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2640 x 1760 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/4.0 -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 320 x 240 -
Highest video resolution 320x240 None
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250g (0.55 lb) 630g (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 60 x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life - 520 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $574 $638