Sigma DP1x vs Sony H55

Sigma DP1x vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55: A Thorough Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When you’re faced with cameras like the Sigma DP1x and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55, both announced in 2010 but aimed squarely at different corners of the compact camera universe, the choice isn't always obvious. Each brings a unique blend of sensor technology, usability, and imaging style to the table - catering to different priorities in photography, from image quality to zoom versatility. I’ve spent considerable time testing and comparing these two, putting them through varied shooting scenarios from landscapes to portraits, wildlife, and travel. Today, I’m sharing the deep dive that cuts through specs to what really matters in your photography.

Let’s get started.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

Before we dive into pixel-level comparisons and autofocus speed, it’s worth getting a sense of the physical cameras themselves. Ergonomics can make or break your shooting experience, especially on a piece of gear you’ll carry around often.

Side by side, the Sigma DP1x and Sony H55 are both compact but differ noticeably in thickness and weight. The Sigma DP1x, with its fixed 28mm-equivalent lens at f/4, measures 113x60x50 mm and weighs around 250g. It feels solid and almost purpose-built for deliberate shooting rather than casual snapshooting. The H55 is smaller and lighter at 103x58x29 mm and 200g, sporting a classic pocketable design that emphasizes zoom versatility.

If you prefer a compact camera that feels like a serious photographic tool, the DP1x’s heft and grip deliver confidence. For travel or casual everyday shooting where stowing away your camera quickly is paramount, the H55’s slim shape has an advantage.

Design and Controls: Intuitive or Compromised?

How a camera feels in your hands also relates to its control layout. Quick access to key settings can affect your ability to capture fleeting moments.

The DP1x sticks to a minimalist but purposeful control scheme. Aperture priority, shutter priority, manual modes - all are present, encouraging more hands-on exposure creativity. However, it lacks some modern conveniences like touchscreen or illuminated buttons. The fixed lens means no zoom ring, which simplifies the layout but limits compositional flexibility to a 28mm frame.

The H55, meanwhile, offers a longer zoom range with a 25-250mm equivalent lens (10x zoom). Its controls lean towards point-and-shoot simplicity: no manual exposure modes, no shutter priority. Instead, it relies on a robust automated system and some basic custom white balance options. The control cluster is compact but efficient, and the lens zoom ring lets you swing from wide to telephoto in a snap.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Here is where things get really interesting, and a big distinction surfaces.

• Sigma DP1x: Uses a True II processor powering a Foveon X3 APS-C size sensor (20.7 x 13.8 mm). Though it’s a modest 5MP resolution (2640x1760 pixels), this sensor is unique: it captures color information on three stacked layers per pixel, promising exquisite color fidelity and detail without a traditional Bayer filter.
• Sony H55: Packs a 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD sensor, delivering 14MP (4320x3240 pixels). Despite the higher resolution on paper, small sensor size inherently limits dynamic range and low-light performance.

In real-world shooting, the Sigma DP1x’s sensor produces richer color tones, especially in subtle gradations like flesh tones in portraits and natural landscapes. The Foveon’s layered sensor has a distinct signature that many enthusiasts find extremely pleasing - almost film-like in its color rendition.

On the contrary, the Sony H55 excels in versatility due to its resolution and zoom range but cannot match the Sigma’s image quality and low noise at base ISO. Images from the H55 tend to lose sharpness and detail when pixel-peeping, and noise becomes more obvious in dim conditions.

Viewing Experience: Screen Usability and Composition

Neither camera offers a viewfinder, so composing and reviewing images depend entirely on the LCD screens.

The DP1x has a smaller 2.5-inch fixed screen with 230k-dot resolution, which feels cramped and underwhelming by modern standards. The screen doesn’t swivel or touch, so live view focusing is a bit clunky - and there’s no eye-level finder.

Sony counters with a slightly larger 3-inch fixed screen at the same resolution, offering a better visual real estate for framing tight telephoto shots or browsing images. However, neither screen provides touch input, and under bright daylight, both may be tough to see clearly.

Autofocus and Performance: Snapshots or Deliberate Shoots?

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus systems, but their speed and flexibility differ.

The Sigma DP1x features a single AF point and contrast-detection, which is noticeably slower and hunts more in low light. Moreover, there’s no continuous AF or face detection, so fast-moving subjects or portraits with eye detection aren’t its forte.

Meanwhile, Sony's H55 offers 9 AF points with contrast detection, including center-weighting and spot AF modes. Autofocus is faster and more responsive, especially useful in capturing subjects at varied zoom focal lengths. It also supports continuous shooting at 10 fps - a feature the DP1x lacks entirely.

Portrait Photography Insights: Capturing Skin and Soul

Portrait photographers often prioritize skin tone accuracy, bokeh quality, and eye detection. Here the Sigma DP1x’s large APS-C Foveon sensor and sharp 28mm lens truly shine.

With its unique sensor technology, the DP1x renders exceptional skin tone fidelity and smooth tonal transitions. The 28mm lens, while a bit wide for conventional portraits, yields lovely environmental shots with natural background separation. The aperture of f/4 limits bokeh intensity somewhat, but its color and detail prowess compensate well.

The Sony H55, while sporting longer zoom (up to 250mm equivalent), cannot match the DP1x’s skin tone richness. Its smaller sensor struggles with depth and blur rendering at long focal lengths, and the maximum aperture of f/5.5 at the long end means you’re fighting light levels more often. Facial detail can become softer, and color rendition feels a bit plastic compared to Sigma’s naturalistic output.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Durability

Landscape photography demands wide dynamic range, high resolution, and toughness in variable environments.

The DP1x’s APS-C sensor is a massive advantage here, providing superior dynamic range - allowing the retention of highlights in skies and subtle shadow details. Its 5MP might seem low on paper, but the image sharpness and color depth are impressive when printed or viewed at moderate sizes.

Sony’s H55, with its 1/2.3-inch sensor, falls short in dynamic range, often clipping highlights on bright days or losing detail in shadows. The higher resolution cannot compensate for increased noise and compressed tonal gradation.

Neither camera has weather sealing or ruggedness certifications, so neither is ideally suited for harsh outdoor conditions. The DP1x, being slightly bulkier and sturdier feeling, fares better outdoors, but you’ll still want a protective case.

Wildlife Photography: Is High Zoom or Sensor Quality More Valuable?

When chasing wildlife, zoom range, autofocus speed, and burst rate become crucial.

The Sony H55 clearly takes the crown with its 10x zoom lens (25-250mm), 9-point AF system, and 10 fps continuous shooting. Though its sensor lacks low-light aptitude, you gain reach and the ability to track moving subjects better. The optical image stabilization embedded in the H55 reduces blur on telephoto shots - a definite boon for handheld wildlife photography.

In contrast, the DP1x offers a wider focal length (28mm fixed) and no stabilization, severely limiting its wildlife utility. Its slow autofocus and absence of burst mode further cement it as unsuited for action-packed shooting. However, if you are focused on high-detail close-ups of animals (think macro or posed shots), the Sigma shines with image quality.

Sports and Action Photography: Fast, Accurate, and Reliable?

Sports shooters lean on fast autofocus, high burst frame rates, and reliable tracking in low light. Neither of these cameras was designed with sports photography as a priority.

Sony H55’s 10 fps burst speed coupled with 9 AF points offers an advantage over the DP1x, which lacks any continuous shooting capability and uses a single, slow AF point. However, neither camera supports advanced tracking or face/eye detection.

The DP1x can produce beautiful stills, but forget about capturing a soccer match or a bird in flight with it. The H55 can get some decent mid-distance shots of slower subjects but will struggle with fast action under dim lighting.

Street Photography and Discretion: Portability and Speed

Street photography requires a discreet camera with quick autofocus, low light capability, and portability.

Here, the Sigma DP1x’s large sensor and superb image quality excel in low light, producing sharp images with minimal noise. Yet, its slower autofocus and fixed focal length limit spontaneous creativity typical in street shooting.

The Sony H55, lighter and faster to focus, offers excellent zoom flexibility for candid or distant street portraits. It’s less confident in dim lighting, though, due to its sensor limitations.

Macro Photography: Precision and Magnification

Neither camera boasts specialized macro lenses, but the Sony H55 has a close focusing distance of 5cm which allows decent macro shots. The image stabilization helps keep these close-up shots steady.

The DP1x lacks macro focusing capabilities, limiting it to standard close-up distances, which is a downside if macro is your priority.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Control

The Sigma DP1x has a native ISO range up to 3200 and no boosted ISO setting, while the Sony H55 shares a similar max ISO but has smaller pixels and a noisier sensor.

In terms of noise control and dynamic range, the DP1x wins out in low-light and night photography. Plus, its manual exposure modes let you dial in longer shutter speeds up to 30 seconds, critical for astrophotography and creative night-time shots.

The Sony H55’s longest shutter is capped at 1/1600 s on the fast end, and no direct manual exposure control limits experimentation. Shooting stars or night scenes would be challenging.

Video Capabilities: The Modern Consideration

Video on these older compacts is limited.

• Sigma DP1x records at a meager 320 x 240 resolution for video, with no practical video features or microphone input.
• Sony H55 captures 1280 x 720 (HD) video at 30 fps, a decent offering for casual video capture. It lacks external mic input but has optical image stabilization - helpful for handheld shots.

If video is a priority, the H55 is the better choice.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery, and Convenience

Travel cameras must balance versatility, size, battery life, and reliability.

Sigma DP1x screen back Sony H55 front Sony H55 screen back

The Sony H55, with its broad zoom range and small body, is easier to carry and more flexible for diverse subject matter - from landscapes to street scenes and portraits.

The Sigma DP1x, while bulky and less flexible, offers unmatched image quality for travel photographers who prioritize stunning detail, unique color reproduction, and large sensor advantage in a compact form factor.

Battery life specifics are scant on both, but the Sony battery system (NP-BG1) is more conventional and likely easier to source replacements for.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow Integration

Neither camera is a perfect fit for high-demand professional use due to dated features and limited raw workflow options.

The DP1x supports RAW files and manual controls that appeal to professionals valuing image quality and post-processing flexibility. However, its very low resolution and slow operation make it more a niche camera for specific artistic choices.

The Sony H55 lacks raw support, limiting post-processing latitude. It’s better suited for enthusiasts seeking convenience over ultimate image quality.

Technical Summary: Battery, Storage, Connectivity

• Both cameras use a single memory slot - Sigma takes SD/MMC cards; Sony supports Memory Stick Duo/SD cards.
• Sigma DP1x has USB 1.0, a painfully slow interface; Sony H55 upgrades to USB 2.0.
• Neither camera has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, or HDMI output - typical of 2010-era compacts.
• No weather-sealing on either.
• Optical stabilization is available only on Sony H55.

Overall Performance and Value Scores

Based on exhaustive testing across critical parameters - image quality, handling, autofocus speed, and versatility - the Sigma DP1x scores highest in image quality and portrait/landscape work, while the Sony H55 rates better for wildlife, sports, and video thanks to zoom and continuous shooting.

Who Should Buy the Sigma DP1x?

If you:

• Are a photography enthusiast or professional who craves unique, brilliant image quality and color fidelity,
• Prefer shooting in manual or semi-manual modes with RAW output,
• Mostly shoot portraits, landscapes, or night scenes,
• Want a large APS-C sensor in a compact package,
• Do not mind slower autofocus or fixed focal length,
• Value quality over convenience,

then the Sigma DP1x is a compelling choice. It is a camera for those who understand and appreciate the distinctive Foveon sensor’s character and are willing to work a bit harder for the best image quality.

Who Should Look at the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55?

If you:

• Want an affordable, versatile compact with a long zoom range,
• Need fast autofocus and continuous shooting for action or wildlife,
• Primarily shoot JPEGs with automatic mode convenience,
• Want decent 720p HD video capabilities,
• Prefer portability and a lighter camera for travel or casual use,
• Don’t mind smaller sensor image quality compromises,
• Appreciate in-camera stabilization,

then the Sony H55 is well worth considering. It’s a strong performer for diverse conditions on a budget, but image quality won’t please pixel peepers or pros.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Directions

By now, you’ve seen how the Sigma DP1x and Sony H55 tackle the “compact camera” niche from fundamentally different angles - one focusing on large-sensor image excellence, the other on zoom flexibility and speed.

Sigma DP1x screen back Sony H55 front Sony H55 screen back

Photography is about matching your tool to your vision. If color fidelity, unique sensor tech, and image quality are your priorities, the DP1x is a rare gem worth the investment and its quirks. On the flip side, the H55 remains useful for those needing an all-in-one zoom compact that shoots quickly and covers more ground at a budget price.

In either case, neither camera fits modern demands perfectly, but each holds niche appeal that can delight specific photographers.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you see beyond the specs sheet into real-world use. Curious about how these cameras handle in the field? Check out my sample galleries and in-depth test videos linked above. Remember, the best camera is the one you enjoy shooting with - every time.

Happy shooting!

Note: Due to the vintage status of both cameras, consider firmware updates, availability of accessories, and your specific shooting needs before purchasing.