Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony W710

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710: An Expert Comparison Across Core Photography Disciplines

When selecting a camera, discerning photographers must weigh a complex balance of sensor technology, image quality, autofocus performance, build and ergonomics, versatility, and value. In this detailed comparison, I draw on extensive hands-on testing experience with both compact large-sensor and small-sensor cameras to analyze two very differently positioned models released in the mid-2010s: Sigma’s APS-C-sensor DP2 Quattro, representing high-res large sensor compacts, against Sony’s entry-level small-sensor compact Cyber-shot DSC-W710.

The DP2 Quattro emphasizes image quality for enthusiasts seeking ultimate detail - albeit at the expense of speed and video - while the W710 caters to casual shooters wanting a pocketable zoom camera with broad scene coverage. This article meticulously explores performance across major photographic use cases, complemented by technical analysis and real-world insights, helping readers decode which camera suits their creative needs and budget.

Physical Design, Handling, and Control Layout: A Tale of Two Compacts

A camera’s ergonomic design directly impacts user experience, particularly in handheld scenarios spanning from street photography to wildlife shooting. The Sigma DP2 Quattro is a distinctly larger “large sensor compact” with dimensions of approximately 161 x 67 x 82 mm and weighs 395g. It offers a robust grip size to facilitate steady shooting but sacrifices pocketability.

In stark contrast, the Sony W710 measures just 97 x 55 x 20 mm and weighs a mere 114 g, emphasizing portability with a slim profile achievable by a small fixed sensor and built-in zoom lens.

The DP2 Quattro’s more substantial body allows for well-placed physical controls and a substantial handgrip, benefiting users accustomed to DSLRs or mirrorless systems, though it lacks a viewfinder. The W710’s smaller chassis confines controls to compact button arrays, which are touchscreen-capable - a feature absent on the Sigma, facilitating quicker menus navigation but less tactile feedback.

Looking down from above also reveals distinct design philosophies: the Sigma favors minimal buttons with a focus on manual exposure modes, while Sony provides simpler control suited for automatic point-and-shoot-style use.

In summary: The Sigma DP2 Quattro offers an ergonomically confident form factor tailored for deliberate shooting, whereas the Sony W710 prioritizes ultra-compact convenience and simplicity. Photographers favoring heftier cameras with physical dials will prefer the DP2, while casual shooters desiring pocket-ready ease lean towards the W710.

Sensor Size and Core Imaging Technology: The Heart of Image Quality

Sensor technology fundamentally defines the potential for resolution, dynamic range, noise performance, and color fidelity. Here, the DP2 Quattro commands attention with its proprietary Foveon X3 CMOS sensor - an APS-C sized chip measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm, offering an effective resolution of 20 megapixels with three layers capturing full color at each pixel location, promising exceptional color accuracy and sharp detail.

Conversely, the Sony W710 employs a much smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor of just 6.17 x 4.55 mm (~28mm²), with a 16 megapixel resolution. Although CCD sensors historically offered good color rendition, the tiny sensor size inherently limits low-light performance, dynamic range, and bokeh potential.

Another critical aspect is the sensor’s native ISO range: Sigma’s DP2 Quattro spans 100 to 6400 ISO (native), while the Sony W710 modestly tops out at ISO 3200. Additionally, the DP2's sensor is paired with Sigma's TRUE III image processor to leverage the unique sensor output effectively, albeit with longer image processing times.

Technical note on Foveon sensor: Unlike Bayer sensors, each pixel on the Foveon sensor captures full RGB data via stacked photodiodes, enhancing color accuracy and resolution at lower ISOs, but this architecture results in slower readouts, influencing burst shooting capabilities and video capture (not offered on the DP2).

In practical results, the DP2 Quattro delivers outstanding sharpness, rich color fidelity, and superior dynamic range - especially when shooting raw files - making it well-suited for studio, landscape, and portrait photography. The Sony W710’s small sensor yields images sufficient for casual web use and prints but struggles beyond ISO 400-800 and sacrifices background blur quality.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Feedback and Composition Tools

Both cameras omit electronic viewfinders, relying exclusively on rear screens. The DP2 Quattro offers a 3.0-inch fixed TFT LCD with 920,000 dots, providing bright, detailed live view ideal for manual focusing and critical composition assessment. The screen lacks touch functionality, compelling photographers to use physical buttons for menu navigation and focus adjustments.

Meanwhile, the Sony W710 features a 2.7-inch TFT touchscreen with just 230,000 dots - a lower resolution panel with reduced brightness and color accuracy - yet its touchscreen operation simplifies quick menu changes for casual photography.

In testing, the DP2’s screen allows precise image review, particularly beneficial given its lack of an optical or electronic viewfinder. The W710’s touchscreen is responsive and user-friendly but less useful in bright sunlight or when seeking fine focus confirmation.

Image Quality in Practical Genres

Let’s delve into real-world disciplines to clarify each camera’s strengths and limitations in craft practice.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, Eye Detection

The DP2 Quattro’s fixed 45mm f/2.8 lens (equivalent to 67.5mm full frame) provides a natural short-telephoto focal length favored for flattering portraits with moderate background separation. The Foveon sensor captures nuanced skin tones with fine gradations, mitigating overly processed or artificial look common in consumer cameras.

The W710’s 28-140mm zoom lens offers framing flexibility but with a slow aperture range of f/3.2-6.5, limiting shallow depth-of-field effects. Its small sensor size further diminishes background blur, yielding flat, busy backgrounds less pleasing for portraiture.

Autofocus on the Sigma is contrast-detection only with a 9-point system optimized for single shots; face detection is present but not as advanced, requiring patience and manual focus finesse. Sony’s W710 uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and tracking, though image quality bottlenecks diminish the impact.

Sigma DP2 Quattro front Sigma DP2 Quattro screen back Sony W710 front Sony W710 screen back

Summary: For portrait photographers prioritizing color accuracy and bokeh aesthetics, the DP2 Quattro is superior. The Sony, while versatile in focal length, cannot compete in subject isolation or nuanced skin rendering.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range, Resolution, Weather Sealing

Landscape artists value wide dynamic range and resolution to render natural scenes richly. The DP2 Quattro excels with its 20MP APS-C sensor and exceptional color rendering, capturing fine details in highlights and shadows. However, the lack of weather sealing and a fixed lens may limit field ruggedness and framing flexibility.

In contrast, the W710, with its smaller sensor and lower dynamic range, produces images that are noisier in shadows and less detailed. The zoom lens’s wide-angle 28mm equivalent helps compose landscapes, but image quality trade-offs are significant.

Neither camera offers weather sealing or robust environmental protection, which serious outdoor photographers must consider.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed, Burst Rate, Zoom Reach

Both cameras target vastly different use cases here. The DP2 Quattro offers a single fixed focal length (45mm), no image stabilization, and a slow continuous shooting speed of 3 fps, coupled with contrast-detection AF. These factors severely limit wildlife or sports photography utility, especially given the lack of tracking AF or fast shutter curtain.

Conversely, the Sony W710’s 5x optical zoom (28-140mm) corresponds to roughly 5.8x crop factor, extending reach to an effective telephoto of around 812mm full-frame equivalent, aided by optical image stabilization. However, burst shooting is limited to one frame per second, and AF speed is basic.

Neither camera is engineered for demanding action photography; DSLR or mirrorless bodies remain indispensable for serious wildlife or sports photographers.

Street Photography: Discreteness, Low Light, Portability

The Sony W710’s compact size and zoom versatility make it well-suited to street photography candidness, offering quick deployment and frame flexibility. Its optical stabilization helps with low-light shooting, though image noise rises quickly at ISO beyond 400.

The Sigma DP2 Quattro, despite its larger size, excels in image quality for street portraits and details but lacks autofocus speed for spontaneous shots and has no stabilization - a drawback in busy urban environments where quick snap decisions and maneuverability are essential.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus Precision

Neither camera features dedicated macro modes with close focusing distances, although the Sigma’s precise manual focus aids creative close-ups with its fixed 45mm lens, while the Sony offers a 10cm macro focusing range at wide-angle.

The lack of optical image stabilization in the Sigma is a limitation for handheld macro isolation, whereas Sony’s W710 stabilization assists slightly at short distances.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO Performance and Exposure Control

High ISO performance is a crucial differentiator: the Sigma’s APS-C sensor exhibits relatively low noise up to ISO 800 or 1600, enabling usable night shots, albeit with longer exposures. Manual exposure modes on the DP2 aid astrophotographers precisely controlling shutter and aperture.

The Sony CMOS sensor’s limited dynamic range and small physical size produce noisy-lit images beyond ISO 400-800, restricting astrophotography prospects. The camera offers no manual exposure modes, limiting creative control under low light.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Stabilization, and Audio

Sigma DP2 Quattro lacks any video recording functionality, an important consideration for multimedia creators. Sony W710 supports 720p HD video at 30fps, typical for budget compact cameras, albeit with limited manual control, basic audio capture (internal microphone only), and no external mic input.

Image stabilization on the W710 improves handheld video clarity, whereas the Sigma offers no stabilization features, even for stills.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, and Size

Travel photographers demand a balance of portability, zoom range, battery longevity, and image quality. The Sony W710 shines in portability and zoom versatility (28-140mm), plus respectable battery life (~240 shots per charge), and widely supported SD card storage.

The Sigma DP2 Quattro, heavier and larger, with fixed 45mm prime lens and no image stabilization, challenges traveling light but rewards users prioritizing uncompromising image quality for landscapes and portraits. Its battery life is modest, buffered by fewer shots per charge compared to smaller compacts.

Professional Considerations: File Formats, Workflow, and Reliability

The DP2 Quattro supports raw shooting enabling sophisticated post-processing workflows favored by professionals and advanced amateurs. Despite slower write speeds, the raw files yield exceptional tonal gradation and color data unique to the Foveon sensor.

The Sony W710 does not support raw, limiting editing latitude, and targets point-and-shoot convenience over professional reliability or integration.

Autofocus System Deep Dive: Accuracy and Speed

The Sigma DP2 Quattro's autofocus relies exclusively on contrast detection with 9 selectable focus zones, achieving good precision at the expense of hunting speed, especially in low contrast or dim light. It lacks continuous autofocus, animal eye-AF, or subject tracking - features that modern cameras include to aid wildlife and sports photography.

Sony W710 employs a basic contrast-detection system augmented with face detection and tracking modes, and touchscreen AF area selection, facilitating ease of use for casual photography but not suitable for fast-paced subjects.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Both cameras lack environmental sealing. The Sigma’s robust magnesium chassis offers good tactile durability, though it is not weather-resistant. The W710 is constructed from plastic to save weight and cost, with minimal ruggedness - unsuited for harsh conditions.

Lens Ecosystem and Fixed Lens Trade-offs

The DP2 Quattro’s fixed 45mm f/2.8 lens restricts framing but ensures optical excellence - its optics are tuned for sharpness and minimal distortion, consistent with Sigma’s reputation for lens quality.

The W710’s versatile 5x optical zoom covers 28-140mm equivalent but with a relatively slow aperture range (f/3.2-6.5), resulting in compromised low-light and bokeh performance. Being limited to the fixed integrated lens on both cameras, users seeking lens interchangeability must look elsewhere.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony’s W710 offers around 240 shots per charge with the NP-BN battery, supported by SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick storage compatibility.

Sigma DP2 Quattro’s battery capacity (BP-51) is less documented, and real-world usage indicates fewer shots per charge due to processor demands and a larger sensor. Storage is handled via a single slot (SD card compatibility, specifics vary).

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS modules included - diminishing remote control or seamless image transfer options in the current wireless-rich market.

USB 2.0 ports on both models limit fast tethered workflows or file transfers.

Price-to-Performance Analysis

At a street price (~$930), the Sigma DP2 Quattro targets serious enthusiasts keen on ultimate image quality from a compact form but trading off speed and video.

The Sony W710, retailing for under $90, offers a functional, budget-friendly camera targeting casual users and beginners, prioritizing convenience and zoom reach over image fidelity.

Performance Ratings Visually Summarized

For those digesting value and performance at a glance:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Sigma DP2 Quattro stands out as a niche powerhouse, excelling in portrait, landscape, night, and travel photography where image fidelity and manual controls prevail over speed and video capability. Its drawbacks include slow autofocus, no video, lack of stabilization, and larger size.

The Sony Cyber-shot W710 serves as an affordable, lightweight option for casual shooting, with street, travel snapshots, and family photography in mind, offering zoom versatility and easy handling, while limited by image quality, slow zoom aperture, and absent manual exposure.

To summarize:

• Choose Sigma DP2 Quattro if image quality, color fidelity, and manual creative control are paramount, and you are willing to accept slower operation and no video. Perfect for enthusiasts or professionals needing a portable secondary camera for stills.

• Choose Sony W710 if portability, price, and zoom versatility command priority for casual or beginner users, and you can live with modest image quality and fewer manual options.

Summary Table

Selecting between these cameras hinges on whether you prioritize uncompromising image quality and manual control in a larger compact form (Sigma DP2 Quattro) or ultra-affordable, pocketable convenience (Sony W710) for snapshots and travel. By arming yourself with this comparative analysis grounded in seasoned testing and technical expertise, your choice can be tailored to your distinct photographic ambitions.