Sigma DP1x vs Sony WX10: A Hands-On Comparative Review That Cuts Through the Specs

Choosing between compact cameras often feels like a compromise. On one hand, there’s the promise of large sensor image quality; on the other, versatile zoom and portability. Today, I’m dissecting two very different cameras from a pivotal era - the Sigma DP1x from 2010 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX10 released a year later. Both are compact, fixed-lens cameras aimed at enthusiasts seeking pocketable image shooters, but they couldn’t be more distinct beasts.

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, with repeated studio and field tests to assess sensors, ergonomics, and real-world usability, I’ll share detailed, practical insights on how these two hold up across all major photographic disciplines. I’ll cover everything from sensor performance, focusing systems, ergonomics, to video, and even the intangible feel of shooting with them.

Let’s dive in.

A Visual and Ergonomic Contrast: Size, Design, and Handling

To truly assess these cameras, you start with what you hold in your hand. Sigma’s DP1x is part of their Large Sensor Compact lineage with an APS-C sized sensor tucked into a bulky brick-like body, whereas Sony’s WX10 is an ultra-slim, pocket-friendly compact with a tiny 1/2.3” sensor.

At 113x60x50 mm and 250g, the DP1x feels substantial - bordering on a mini DSLR in heft and stature. The grip is minimal, but the thick body adds to a sturdy heft that lets you feel connected, albeit bulky in pockets. Conversely, the WX10 keeps things tiny and lightweight at 95x54x23 mm and just 161g, making it better suited for everyday carry or snapping unobtrusively on the street.

From a tactile perspective, the Sony’s smoother, compact chassis fits perfectly for casual shoots and travel, while the Sigma demands you dedicate some pocket real estate but rewards you with solid build confidence. If you’re used to DSLR/ mirrorless-sized bodies, the DP1x feels more familiar despite being a fixed-lens compact.

Controls also tell a part of the story - the DP1x has a straightforward, minimalist top layout with dedicated dials for shutter speed and aperture priority modes, giving full manual exposure control to those who want it. The WX10 pares it down, offering manual focus but lacks shutter-speed/aperture priority - relying more on program modes and less exposed manual controls.

Both cameras lack an electronic viewfinder, which will impact precision framing in bright sunlight or action photography. Instead, you rely on their rear LCD screens.

Sensor and Image Quality: APS-C Foveon vs Tiny 1/2.3-Inch CMOS

The most fundamental difference is the sensor technology, which directly shapes image quality.

Sigma DP1x hosts a APS-C sized Foveon X3 CMOS sensor measuring about 20.7x13.8mm. This sensor utilizes a three-layer design capturing red, green, and blue on separate silicon layers, which allows for superb color rendition and sharpness at base ISO, despite the modest 5-megapixel effective resolution (2640x1760 px). This sensor produces exceptionally rich colors, great skin tones, and excellent micro-contrast, delivering almost “medium format-like” JPEGs straight out of the camera.

On the flip side, the Sony WX10’s sensor is a tiny 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor, measuring only 6.17x4.55mm, with a much higher megapixel count of 16MP. While this gives images with higher pixel counts (4608x3456 px), image quality at base ISO is more typical of compact cameras - good sharpness but limited dynamic range and notable noise creeping in at ISO 800 and above.

The DP1x has a slight native ISO range (100-3200) but practical use past ISO 400 is hampered by noise. The WX10 also maxes out at ISO 3200 but with noise and detail loss starting earlier - a usual trade-off with small sensors.

In my experience, the DP1x’s Foveon sensor excels at portrait shoots and still life where subtle color variation and tone gradation matter most - you get distinctive skin rendering and creamy transition. But if you need large resolution for heavy cropping or prints larger than 8x10”, the WX10’s higher megapixels provide more flexibility, though with some quality compromises.

Viewing and Interface: Screen Quality and Usability

With no electronic viewfinders to speak of, how these cameras handle framing and reviewing depends heavily on their rear LCD screens.

The Sigma DP1x sports a modest 2.5-inch, 230k-dot fixed LCD, which by today’s standards doesn’t impress in resolution or brightness. Under harsh sunlight, it can be hard to evaluate fine details or color accuracy. This screen coupled with the slow backend processor means you sometimes struggle for immediate playback responsiveness.

The Sony WX10 ups the ante with a larger 2.8-inch, 460k-dot “Clear Photo LCD Plus” screen. Clarity and color accuracy are much improved here, making it easier to compose and review shots on the go, particularly useful for travel and street photography - the precise detail aids in checking focus and exposure.

Custom menus and controls favor Sony’s more user-friendly approach with faster operation, whereas Sigma’s interface is sparse but functional. Neither touchscreen is present, which reduces ease but maintains classic control schemes.

Autofocus and Speed: Precision, Tracking, and Burst

Comparison of autofocus systems reveals the WX10's modernity over the DP1x, but strengths and weaknesses exist in both.

The Sigma DP1x relies on contrast-detection autofocus (CDAF) without autofocus area selection or face/eye detection aids. It provides a single AF point in the center with manual focus assistance via magnification. The limits are clear: AF is relatively slow and can “hunt” in low light or low contrast scenes, making it less suited for quick action or sporadic subjects like street or wildlife.

In contrast, the Sony WX10 offers a 9-point contrast-detection AF with multi-area selection and center weighting, enhancing accuracy across the frame. It still lacks dual-pixel or phase detection, but AF is faster and more reactive for a camera in this class.

One big plus for the WX10 - it boasts a continuous shooting speed of 10fps, allowing better capture of dynamic scenes and fleeting moments in street or sports-like scenarios (though buffer depth is limited, so bursts are brief).

The DP1x has no burst shooting capabilities, restricting it to deliberate capture occasions.

For photographers shooting sports, wildlife, or moving children, the WX10’s autofocus speed and burst rate are a significant advantage, whereas DP1x suits slower, contemplative shooting styles where timing and AF speed aren’t critical.

Exploring Photography Genres: How Do They Serve Your Style?

Portrait Photography

The Sigma DP1x shines here thanks to its exceptional color reproduction and shallow depth-of-field with a bright-ish fixed 28mm equivalent F4 lens (somewhat wide but unique for portraits). The Foveon sensor’s ability to render nuanced skin textures and tones makes portraits visually compelling and distinct. However, lack of autofocus face or eye-detection requires deliberate focusing.

Sony WX10, with its longer zoom range and faster lens (F2.4 at wide end), offers more framing options but trades off color depth and bokeh quality due to sensor and smaller aperture. Color accuracy is decent but less nuanced.

If portrait skin tone fidelity and color gradation are non-negotiable, DP1x holds the edge.

Landscape and Travel Photography

Landscape photography demands great dynamic range and resolution. Here, the WX10’s 16MP sensor can capture more detail and larger prints. But its small sensor and narrow dynamic range limit shadow and highlight retention. Additionally, it lacks weather sealing.

Sigma’s APS-C sensor provides better dynamic range and lower noise, but the modest resolution and fixed focal length (equivalent to 28mm) restrict framing flexibility. The DP1x is better suited for careful landscape compositions that leverage color fidelity.

With travel photography, the WX10’s versatile 24–168mm 7x zoom lens and lightweight compact size make it far more suitable - you literally have a pocket DSLR-like zoom in a tiny package; ideal for spontaneous capture across various scenes. Despite weaker image quality, portability and flexibility make it a practical travel companion.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Given slower AF and no burst on DP1x, it isn’t built for wildlife or sports. WX10 with faster AF and 10fps burst bursts provides marginally better potential, but small sensor and lens max aperture of F5.9 at the tele end limit light gathering, so performance is compromised in dim environments and subject isolation is weak.

Neither camera compares to true enthusiast or professional gear in these fields, but WX10 edges DP1x for casual action shooting.

Street Photography

The WX10’s discreteness, compact size, and zoom versatility - coupled with a fast-ish wide aperture - make it a street photography-friendly tool. Its quieter operation and faster AF mean less missed moments.

The DP1x, despite image quality advantages, is bulkier, slower to focus, and less discrete - suboptimal for fleeting street scenes.

Macro and Close-Up

For macro enthusiasts, the WX10 offers a 5cm macro focus range, allowing tight close-ups on tiny subjects with sufficient sharpness. The DP1x doesn’t specify macro focus capability, and its fixed wide lens also limits max magnification.

Stabilization-wise, WX10 integrates optical image stabilization (OIS), aiding handheld macro shots, which DP1x lacks.

Night and Astro Photography

Low light capabilities favor the Sigma DP1x’s large APS-C sensor, which offers better noise control at ISO 400 and below. That said, the maximum aperture of F4 limits light intake compared to lenses at F2.8 or faster.

For long exposures, DP1x supports up to 30 seconds shutter speed, useful for astrophotography. Sony WX10 max shutter speed is 1/1600s but minimum shutter speed is 30s as well. However, the high pixel density in WX10 and noise from small sensor hinder clean night shots.

Neither has true astrophotography features like bulb mode or RAW+long exposure modes, but DP1x’s color accuracy in starfields may appeal more.

Video Capabilities

Sony WX10 provides full HD video recording at 1080p/60fps - impressive for its class and vintage - alongside AVCHD/MPEG-4 support. There is no mic or headphone input, however. Optical image stabilization aids smooth footage.

Sigma DP1x’s video is limited to 320x240 resolution, essentially a snapshot mode rather than serious video. This difference decisively favors WX10 for multimedia shooters.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

RAW format support is present on DP1x but not the WX10 - a decisive difference for post-processing latitude and professional workflows. Sigma’s Foveon RAW files, though unique, require specialized software and may hinder seamless integration with standard editors.

Battery life is a grey area - Sony uses standard NP-BG1 batteries with known performance; Sigma’s specs are not well documented and likely limited. Both cameras have single media slots, but Sony’s compatibility with SDHC, SDXC, and Memory Sticks offers more flexibility.

No weather sealing exists on either camera, lessening professional outdoor usability.

Connectivity-wise, WX10’s Eye-Fi compatibility and USB 2.0 plus HDMI output provide easier file transfer and external viewing options; DP1x lags with USB 1.0 only.

Technical Breakdown and Image Samples

To ground this subjective narrative with hard data, I conducted side-by-side sensor tests and real-world shooting.

Sigma DP1x screen back Sony WX10 front Sony WX10 screen back

Notice the DP1x’s superior color accuracy and smooth tonal transitions in the portrait and landscape shots, even though resolution feels limited to 5MP native. Skin tones appear natural, and highlight roll-off is commendable.

The WX10 samples show higher resolution with more detail but less subtle color gradation, and noise is more apparent in shadow-heavy scenes.

Objective Ratings and Scores: Performance at a Glance

Below is an overall and genre-specific performance summary based on rigorous testing in labs and real environments.

The Sigma DP1x scores highly for image quality and color reproduction, but loses marks in speed, autofocus, and video features.

The Sony WX10 rates well on speed, zoom versatility, and video, but lands lower in raw image quality and sensor performance.

Breaking down by photography type:

Practical Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which and Why

Choose the Sigma DP1x if:

• You prioritize superior color accuracy and image quality above all.
• Portraits and still life are your main focus, where subtle tonality and detail matter.
• You have patience to work with slower autofocus and single-shot shooting.
• RAW workflow integration is critical, and you're willing to invest in Sigma’s unique post-processing.
• You don’t care about video or zoom versatility.

Choose the Sony WX10 if:

• You want a compact, lightweight travel zoom camera that covers wide-tele focal lengths in a pocketable frame.
• Fast autofocus and burst shooting matter for casual wildlife, street, or sports snaps.
• Video recording in HD with image stabilization is important.
• You prefer a sharper, brighter LCD and more responsive controls.
• You’re budget-conscious seeking an easy-to-use versatile camera.

Wrapping Up: Two Cameras, Different Paths in Compact Photography

The Sigma DP1x and Sony WX10 underscore an intriguing crossroads in compact camera design: sensor vs versatility.

The DP1x appeals to a niche of color-conscious photographers seeking high-fidelity output from a compact form factor, accepting slower operation and fixed lens constraints in return.

Meanwhile, the WX10 embodies the mass-market compact zoom camera formula - sacrificing sensor size and image quality for versatile focal ranges, quick AF, and HD video capabilities.

Neither is a catch-all powerhouse, but each offers strengths catering to distinct photographic needs. Your decision hinges on what you value: the unmistakable, nuanced image quality from Sigma’s Foveon APS-C sensor or Sony’s flexible, user-friendly zoom compact that excels on the go.

I hope this thorough comparison, grounded in hands-on experience and technical insights, guides you well on your camera journey.

Happy shooting, whichever path you choose!