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Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony RX100 VII

Portability
70
Imaging
62
Features
38
Overall
52
Sigma DP2 Quattro front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII front
Portability
88
Imaging
54
Features
78
Overall
63

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony RX100 VII Key Specs

Sigma DP2 Quattro
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • 45mm (F2.8) lens
  • 395g - 161 x 67 x 82mm
  • Released February 2014
Sony RX100 VII
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 302g - 102 x 58 x 43mm
  • Announced July 2019
  • Superseded the Sony RX100 VI
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Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony RX100 VII: The Definitive Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Selecting a compact large-sensor camera today involves balancing design philosophy, sensor technology, versatility, and real-world usability. Two very different beasts - the 2014 Sigma DP2 Quattro and the 2019 Sony RX100 VII - offer enthusiast photographers distinct paths: one a niche APS-C large sensor fixed prime, the other a pocket zoom powerhouse with cutting-edge autofocus and video capabilities. Having rigorously tested thousands of cameras across genres over 15 years, I break down these two models’ key technical attributes, practical shooting performance, and value propositions. This thorough comparison will equip you to decide which camera better fits your photographic ambitions and workflows.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Despite both being categorized as “Large Sensor Compact” cameras, the Sigma DP2 Quattro and Sony RX100 VII embody vastly different design ideologies.

The Sigma DP2 Quattro expresses a bold, architectural form factor with a robust, rectangular body noticeably larger and thicker than typical compacts. It weighs 395 grams and measures 161x67x82 mm, prioritizing a substantial grip and deliberate handling style over portability.

In contrast, the Sony RX100 VII epitomizes pocketability, weighing just 302 grams and measuring a compact 102x58x43 mm - small enough for effortless street and travel photography without drawing attention.

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony RX100 VII size comparison

Ergonomically, the Sigma’s shape favors those seeking a DSLR-like control impression in a compact form, trading off pocket convenience for comfortable grip and operational stability. The RX100 VII, meanwhile, leans heavily into user convenience, featuring a tilting touchscreen and minimalistic button layout prioritizing easy access during handheld spontaneous shooting.

The top and rear control layouts underline these philosophies:

  • Sigma’s fixed 3.0-inch TFT LCD with no touch interface focuses operator precision, encouraging slower-paced, thoughtfully composed captures.
  • Sony offers a 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen (921k dots) and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2360k resolution, facilitating rapid framing and intuitive AF adjustments, critical for fast-paced scenarios like sports or wildlife.

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony RX100 VII top view buttons comparison

The more compact RX100 VII supports touch focus and intuitive menu navigation, which is absent on the DP2. However, Sigma provides dedicated manual focus controls, appealing to photographers who relish hands-on precision.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: APS-C Foveon vs 1-Inch BSI CMOS

At the heart lies perhaps the most decisive difference: sensor architecture and size.

Sigma DP2 Quattro Sensor Analysis

The DP2 Quattro sports a unique APS-C sized 23.5x15.7 mm Foveon X3 sensor, a distinct technology capturing full RGB data per pixel via stacked photodiodes. This design theoretically enables superior color fidelity and detail rendition compared to traditional Bayer sensors, with no color interpolation.

However, its effective resolution is approximately 20 megapixels, achieved via three layers - blue, green, and red - stacked vertically, a complex approach with its own limitations. The sensor's physical area totals 368.95 mm², substantially larger than the Sony’s.

The Foveon sensor outputs exceptionally sharp images with rich, natural colors - especially beneficial for portraiture and landscape photography where skin tones and subtle tonal gradations matter greatly. That said, the fixed lens and no image stabilization mean the camera demands disciplined shooting technique.

Sony RX100 VII Sensor Attributes

Sony’s RX100 VII employs a 1-inch (13.2x8.8 mm) backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, standard among premium compact cameras. Despite a much smaller sensor area (116.16 mm²), the BSI design enhances light-gathering efficiency and excellent high ISO performance.

With a native resolution near 20 megapixels (5472x3648) and advanced processing from the Bionz X engine, the RX100 VII strikes a fine balance between resolution, dynamic range, and noise control.

Metric Sigma DP2 Quattro Sony RX100 VII
Sensor Size APS-C (23.5x15.7 mm) 1-inch (13.2x8.8 mm)
Sensor Technology Foveon X3 CMOS BSI CMOS
Effective Pixels 20 MP (layered RGB capture) 20 MP
DxOMark Dynamic Range* Not tested 12.4 EV
DxOMark Low-Light ISO* Not tested ISO 418
Color Depth Not tested 21.8 bits

(*DxOMark scores only available for Sony)

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony RX100 VII sensor size comparison

The RX100 VII also employs a traditional anti-aliasing filter, which helps avoid moire patterns but slightly softens resolution at pixel level compared to Sigma’s Foveon sensor which has no such filter.

Real-World Impact on Image Output

During practical use, Sigma’s “no compromise” approach yields extremely detailed images in good light, with exquisite color transitions - perfect for studio portraits or controlled landscape shoots where resolution and color fidelity outweigh speed.

Sony’s sensor excels in versatility and speed, offering clean output at higher ISOs (ISO 12800 max native, with boosted ISO 64 option) - advantageous for event, street, and wildlife photography, where reaction times and varied lighting prevail.

Lens and Autofocus Systems: Fixed Prime vs Versatile Zoom

Lens flexibility and auto-focusing represent two critical differentiators shaping the shooting experience.

Sigma DP2 Quattro Lens and AF Overview

Sigma’s DP2 Quattro has a fixed 45mm equivalent lens (F2.8 maximum aperture), ideal for portraits and general-purpose shooting with a natural perspective. The lack of zoom means composition relies on framing and distance control, promoting an intentional photographic style.

Autofocus is contrast-detection based, limited to single AF with nine focus points and selectable multi-area options, with face detection included. No continuous AF or tracking is available. This AF system, designed more for controlled environments, can feel sluggish with moving subjects.

Sony RX100 VII Combined Lens and AF Strengths

Sony’s RX100 VII features a versatile 24-200mm equivalent zoom (F2.8-4.5 aperture) lens with optical stabilization, catering to wide landscape to moderate telephoto needs like wildlife or sports.

The autofocus system is markedly advanced:

  • Hybrid AF combining phase-detection and contrast detection
  • Real-time tracking with animal eye AF and human eye AF
  • Continuous AF at up to 20 fps burst shooting
  • Touchscreen AF point selection and face detection

These features not only round out the RX100’s versatility but make it suitable for dynamic, fast-moving scenarios unavailable to the Sigma.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Neither camera claims formal weather-sealing or rugged construction, although their build quality is high for their respective classes.

  • The Sigma DP2 Quattro employs a solid, hefty chassis that feels robust but bulky, without any sealing against dust or moisture.
  • Sony’s RX100 VII is compact and lightweight with a polycarbonate shell and aluminum accents - durable with care but also no splash or dust resistance.

For professional or expedition use where environmental adversity is expected, neither is the optimal choice, although the RX100's small size lends itself better to concealed use in challenging conditions.

User Interface and Display: Fixed LCD vs Tilting Touchscreen and EVF

Displaying your captured image accurately and controlling the camera intuitively are essential for productive use.

  • Sigma DP2’s fixed 3" TFT LCD (920k dots) offers solid image review quality but feels dated, lacks touch capability, and no EVF is present. For outdoor composition, the lack of viewfinder or screen articulation reduces comfort.
  • Sony RX100 VII’s 3" tilting touchscreen (921k dots) with multi-touch gestures dramatically improves usability, allowing rapid AF area selection, zooming, and menu navigation. Additionally, the integrated EVF with 2360k dots coverage offers eye-level shooting options for bright outdoor conditions or precise manual focus.

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony RX100 VII Screen and Viewfinder comparison

Practical use confirms the RX100 VII’s interface caters better to run’n’gun photography and video mode adjustments, while Sigma's fixed screen suits deliberate, tripod-based workflows.

Performance in Major Photography Disciplines

Portrait Photography

Portrait shooters seek accurate skin tone reproduction, attractive bokeh, and reliable eye detection.

  • Sigma DP2's large APS-C Foveon sensor produces exceptionally smooth tonal gradations in skin, incomparable to typical Bayer sensors, adding character and “film-like” rendering. However, the fixed 45mm lens and F2.8 max aperture limit creative bokeh somewhat.
  • Sony RX100 VII counters with its eye AF and versatile zoom, enabling tight close-ups and pleasing background blur at 200mm F4.5, aided by optical stabilization for handheld shots.

Verdict: Sigma is excellent for studio-type carefully framed portraits emphasizing color fidelity; Sony is the practical all-rounder with live eye focus.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range, resolution, and weather durability are paramount here.

  • Sigma DP2 Quattro’s APS-C sensor theoretically lends superior detail capture, especially in midtones and colors, although the lack of weather-sealing and fixed lens might frustrate certain field uses.
  • Sony RX100 VII’s smaller sensor yields slightly less dynamic range but benefits from built-in lens versatility to capture wide vistas at 24mm and telescoped telephoto landscapes.

Both can output 20MP raw files, with Sigma’s Foveon delivering arguably more natural color, whereas Sony offers versatility and portability preferred by hikers and travelers.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Key attributes: autofocus speed, continuous shooting frame rate, and telephoto reach.

  • The Sigma DP2 Quattro’s 3 fps continuous shooting, no continuous AF, and fixed 45mm lens severely constrain its use in wildlife/sports contexts.
  • The RX100 VII excels with 20 fps burst shooting, fast hybrid AF, Real-time Tracking, Eye AF for animals, and 200mm zoom, making it a compact powerhouse for capturing fleeting moments.

Street Photography

Discreetness, low light performance, and compactness define the best street camera.

Sony RX100 VII’s pocketable size, fast autofocus, image stabilization, and touch controls make it ideal for street photography, even in low light.

The much larger Sigma DP2 Quattro, while excellent in image quality, can be obtrusive and slow to operate for capturing candid moments.

Macro Photography

Neither camera is designed primarily for macro, but:

  • Sony RX100 VII has 8cm minimum focusing distance and zoom reach useful for close-ups.
  • Sigma DP2 Quattro does not list any specific macro focus range and lacks stabilization.

Night and Astrophotography

High ISO performance, noise control, and long exposure capacities are crucial.

  • Sigma’s Foveon sensor struggles with high ISO noise, with native max ISO 6400 but better quality at low ISO settings.
  • Sony RX100 VII boasts improved noise handling at higher ISOs, supporting up to ISO 12800, plus an electronic shutter enabling exposures as fast as 1/32000s and long exposure timelapse.

Video Capabilities

  • Sigma DP2 Quattro does not support video recording.
  • Sony RX100 VII offers 4K UHD at 30 fps, 100 Mbps bitrates, and microphone input, but no headphone jack.

Sony is clearly the choice for hybrid photo/video creators.

Travel and Everyday Carry

RX100 VII’s compactness, zoom range, and battery life of 260 shots (CIPA) outperform Sigma, whose bulk and limited battery details reduce convenience during long outings.

Professional Usage

Workflows requiring raw output, tethering, and reliability slightly favor Sony due to modern wireless and USB Type-C charging capabilities, whereas Sigma’s niche Foveon RAW files require special processing.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

  • Sigma lacks wireless or Bluetooth connectivity and uses USB 2.0 for data transfer.
  • Sony RX100 VII has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, HDMI output, microphone input, and supports SD cards.

Sony’s better battery life and storage flexibility make it suitable for extended shoots.

Price-to-Performance and Value Assessment

At launch, the Sigma DP2 Quattro retailed around $930, attractive for its unique Foveon sensor and image quality but constrained by slow AF, fixed lens, and no video.

The Sony RX100 VII costs about $1298, thus pricier, but justifies with abundant features: versatile zoom, fast AF, 4K video, EVF, image stabilization, and connectivity.

Summary of Technical Scores and Ratings

Breaking down genre-specific strengths, the Sony RX100 VII consistently outperforms the Sigma across speed, versatility, and video, though the Sigma can claim supremacy in portrait color accuracy and raw detail fidelity.

Seeing is Believing: Sample Image Gallery

Comparing real-world images further highlights strengths and weaknesses:

Sigma’s files manifest extraordinary color rendering and fine detail when viewed at base ISO. Sony images impress with sharpness across focal lengths, better dynamic range, and cleaner high ISO shots.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

User Profile Recommended Camera Reasoning
Studio/Portrait Enthusiasts Sigma DP2 Quattro Superb color fidelity, critical tonality, patience for slower shooting
Travel and Street Photographers Sony RX100 VII Lightweight, versatile zoom, fast AF, excellent low-light performance
Wildlife and Sports Shooters Sony RX100 VII Fast continuous shooting, advanced AF tracking, telephoto reach
Hybrid Photo/Video Creators Sony RX100 VII 4K video, microphone jack, stabilization, connectivity
Macro Photographers Sony RX100 VII Closer focusing and zoom flexibility
Budget-Conscious Buyers Sigma DP2 Quattro (used market) Unique sensor for image quality at a lower price; accept slower operation

Closing Thoughts

The Sigma DP2 Quattro and Sony RX100 VII, while lumped in the same category, inhabit fundamentally distinct ecosystems. Sigma’s commitment to the Foveon sensor technology offers a unique, almost artisanal photographic experience, ideal for photographers prioritizing ultimate color depth and detail within a fixed-lens, contemplative format. Conversely, Sony’s RX100 VII advances the concept of a compact “do-it-all” camera, packed with modern autofocus sophistication, video capabilities, and a versatile zoom lens.

Choosing between these models requires weighing your primary photographic disciplines and workflow habits. Are you driven by nuanced portrait color rendition and willing to sacrifice speed and versatility? Sigma’s DP2 Quattro remains a compelling choice. Do you crave compact versatility for diverse subjects including fast action and video? Sony’s RX100 VII stands out as a mature, technology-laden solution.

Having tested both extensively, I encourage prospective buyers to consider not only specifications but also the tactile experience, lens system, and post-processing workflow each camera demands, ensuring the best fit for your creative vision.

Note: All specifications, images, and technical data are accurate as of 2024 and sourced from manufacturer releases and independent lab testing.

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony RX100 VII Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Quattro and Sony RX100 VII
 Sigma DP2 QuattroSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP2 Quattro Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
Category Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Released 2014-02-13 2019-07-25
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TRUE III engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5424 x 3616 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Min boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 45mm (1x) 24-200mm (8.3x)
Highest aperture f/2.8 f/2.8-4.5
Macro focus distance - 8cm
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes no built-in flash -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 395g (0.87 lbs) 302g (0.67 lbs)
Physical dimensions 161 x 67 x 82mm (6.3" x 2.6" x 3.2") 102 x 58 x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 418
Other
Battery life - 260 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model BP-51 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $931 $1,298