Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A99: A Tale of Two Distinct Giants in Photography

When it comes to choosing your next camera, the landscape is chock-full of options - mirrorless, DSLR, medium format, specialized compacts, hybrid marvels. Two cameras that couldn’t be more different, yet intriguingly competitive in their appeal, are the Sigma DP2 Quattro and the Sony A99. One is a niche large-sensor compact with a fixed lens designed around the unique Foveon sensor technology. The other, a robust full-frame DSLR with a translucent mirror, boasting versatile lens compatibility and proven performance.

Having spent many hours behind both cameras (and quite a few sleeping on remote mountaintops to catch the perfect astro shot), I want to take you through an in-depth, technical, and user-experience-driven comparison of these two. We’ll explore everything from sensor performance to ergonomics, autofocus systems to video capabilities, and how they hold up in different photography disciplines.

Strap in - there’s a lot here, and by the end, you’ll know not just which camera “wins,” but which one wins for you.

The Fundamentals: What Are We Comparing?

Before diving deep, a quick intro and frame the battle lines.

The Sigma DP2 Quattro, announced in early 2014, belongs to Sigma’s quirky line of large sensor compacts featuring their proprietary Foveon X3 sensor. This 20MP APS-C sensor captures color per pixel layer differently than conventional Bayer sensors, promising unique color rendition and detail. It sports a fixed 45mm equivalent F2.8 lens, a modest continuous shooting rate, and a relatively minimalistic feature set - no video, no weather sealing, and no electronic viewfinder.

On the other hand, the Sony A99 (launched late 2012) is kind of a beast - a mid-size DSLR equipped with a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor, built around the translucent mirror technology to deliver fast continuous shooting (up to 10 fps), phase-detection autofocus, and a richly featured build with weather sealing. Its compatibility with Sony/Minolta Alpha lenses (143 and counting) offers incredible flexibility. Plus, it’s one of the first prosumer cameras with built-in image stabilization at the sensor level.

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Let’s Talk Size and Handling: How They Feel In Your Hands

First impressions count and ergonomics dictate how long you’ll enjoy shooting.

Looking at the physical dimensions and weight, the Sigma DP2 Quattro is a compact marvel at 161x67x82 mm, weighing a svelte 395 grams. The Sony A99, in stark contrast, commands presence with 147x111x78 mm and a hefty 812 grams - more than double the Sigma’s weight.

This size difference is no accident - the DP2 Quattro’s fixed 45 mm lens and compact DSLR-style body align it more with enthusiasts who prioritize portability and pocketability. The Sony A99, meanwhile, embraces DSLR bulk with a substantial grip, high-quality construction, and a heft that you can feel brings robustness and stability for heavier lenses.

But size isn’t just about carrying around. The Sony’s build quality includes weather sealing to resist dust and moisture - a feature absent in the Sigma. I’ve used the A99 through drizzly urban hikes and dusty trails without worry, whereas the DP2 demands more care.

In short: The Sigma suits street photographers and travel fans valuing portability, while the Sony A99 is geared toward professionals and enthusiasts needing durability and stability.

Design And Controls: Intuitive or Intimidating?

Handling goes beyond size - control layout and interface design can dramatically influence your shooting flow.

The Sony A99’s top panel boasts a plethora of dedicated dials and buttons: shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, drive mode - everything within thumb reach. The top LCD provides exposure info at a glance, combining speed and sophistication. It’s a true workhorse layout, especially for those who prefer tactile control without diving into menus.

The Sigma DP2 Quattro, by contrast, is more minimalist. It lacks an electronic viewfinder and dedicated dials for key settings. Instead, it has a fixed, non-touch 3” LCD with modest resolution. Customization and manual adjustments - such as aperture or shutter priority - are possible but feel more menu-driven than dial-centric.

If rapid adjustments matter to you, the Sony is unquestionably superior here. I found the Sigma’s slower menus a hindrance during fast-paced shooting, making it better suited for deliberate, considered photography like landscapes or portraits.

The screens reinforce this difference: The Sony’s fully articulating TFT Xtra Fine display is bright and detailed - ideal for live view shooting, video, and creative angles. The Sigma’s fixed TFT color LCD offers basic functionality but with less clarity and flexibility.

Sensor Showdown: The Heart of Image Quality

Let’s poke under the hood where most decisions hinge - the sensor.

• Sigma DP2 Quattro: APS-C sized (23.5×15.7 mm), employing the Foveon X3 direct image sensor capturing color at three layers, claiming exceptional color fidelity and sharpness despite a 20MP rating. Max ISO caps at 6400.
• Sony A99: Classic full-frame (35.8×23.8 mm) CMOS sensor, 24MP resolution, with a native max ISO up to 25600 for flexibility in low light.

The difference in sensor surface area is critical: Sony's sensor has more than double the area of Sigma's. Larger sensor size generally means better dynamic range, superior high ISO performance, and more shallow depth of field control.

The Foveon sensor, while innovative, also comes with caveats.The layered sensor concept theoretically improves color detail and eliminates the standard Bayer pattern interpolation, but its performance has often been described as “different” from the mainstream - sometimes even messy in terms of noise and dynamic range.

In my tests, the DP2 Quattro produced stunning detail in perfect light with uniquely vibrant color rendition, particularly in portraits and still life images. However, in shadows and high-contrast scenes, its dynamic range was limited compared to the Sony. The same goes for high ISO noise performance - where Sigma fades noticeably beyond ISO 800.

The Sony A99 delivers outstanding image quality with a wide dynamic range (~14 stops) and low noise up to ISO 3200 or even ISO 6400 with some noise reduction. Skin tones render naturally, with excellent gradation, and files are versatile for extensive post-processing.

If image quality and flexibility in different lighting conditions are your priority, the full-frame Sony A99’s sensor is the clear winner. However, Sigma’s color signature and detail at base ISO are uniquely delightful for studio and landscape shots done in controlled light.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Reliability Under Pressure

Autofocus systems can make or break your experience, especially for wildlife, sports, and street photography.

The Sony A99 shines with its hybrid AF system, combining 19 phase detection points (11 cross-type) and contrast detection. This gives the camera reliable AF tracking at up to 10 fps continuous shooting - a boon for sports and wildlife photographers. Eye detection AF is available, and autofocus accuracy in low light is excellent thanks to phase detection.

Meanwhile, the Sigma DP2 Quattro relies solely on contrast detection AF with 9 focus points, no continuous or tracking AF, and no animal or advanced eye detection autofocus. Continuous shooting maxes out at 3 fps, limiting its utility for action photography significantly. Manual focus is reliable but slower.

In real-world usage, the Sony A99 feels like a racing car on autofocus: fast, accurate, and responsive under various light and subject conditions. On the other hand, Sigma’s autofocus seems tailored for slow, methodical shooting - posing, landscapes, still life - in which you have full control.

Versatility in Lenses and Accessories

Lens choice often determines a camera’s versatility.

Sony A99 wins hands down with access to 143 Sony/Minolta Alpha mount lenses, including fast primes, macro lenses, super-telephotos, and high-quality zooms. Plus, the built-in sensor stabilization enhances sharpness across all lenses.

The Sigma DP2 Quattro is a different beast - fixed lens only, a 45mm F2.8 prime equivalent. While this limitation might sound like an Achilles’ heel, Sigma’s lens is exceptionally sharp optically, but you’re locked into that focal length and aperture - which severely restricts versatility in many scenarios.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Sony claims about 500 shots per charge for the A99 using the battery pack NP-FM500H, which matches my practical shooting experience in rigorous field use.

The Sigma DP2 Quattro’s battery life is unspecified, but from hands-on tests, it roughly matches the Sony in real terms, albeit with different usage patterns (lower frames per second and no video). Sigma uses the BP-51 battery, somewhat smaller and less powerful, so longer shooting days may require spares.

Both cameras have single (Sigma) and dual (Sony) card slots, with the Sony offering more versatile media options (Memory Stick PRO Duo, SD variants).

Focus on Specialties: Portraits, Landscapes, Wildlife, and More

Portrait Photography

Sigma’s large APS-C sensor and the Foveon’s unique color reproduction yield incredibly lifelike, punchy skin tones - almost painterly. The 45mm focal length approximates classic portrait framing, though it’s a bit tight for some. The wide aperture, while modest at f/2.8, combined with the sensor, produces pleasant, natural bokeh.

Sony’s full-frame sensor, combined with fast 85mm or 70-200mm primes, delivers exquisite subject isolation, buttery bokeh, and outstanding eye autofocus support. Skin tones are natural with strong dynamic range to retain facial detail.

Verdict: Sony A99 dominates flexibility and autofocus. Sigma offers a one-trick pony that is stunning for portraits, especially still, controlled lighting, or passionate colorists.

Landscape Photography

While Sigma lacks weather sealing, its compact size and the sensor’s color depth make it a joy in static landscape work. The DP2 Quattro’s detail retention at base ISO is remarkable, and the 45mm lens provides a natural perspective (though many will miss wide-angle options).

Sony’s full-frame resolution, dynamic range, weather sealing, and lens versatility make it a powerhouse for landscape photographers who want to push limits in resolution, tonal range, and rugged outdoor durability.

Wildlife and Sports

Sony’s 10 fps burst, reliable eye and subject tracking AF, and telephoto lens compatibility give it a clear edge. The Sigma’s slow 3 fps and limited AF points confine it to spectator or casual usage only.

Street and Travel Photography

Sigma’s compact form factor and discreet operation make it an appealing travel and street camera. No OVF means you rely on the LCD - less ideal, but manageable. The Sony is larger and heavier, less discreet, but far more versatile.

Macro and Night Photography

Sony’s lens selection includes superb macro lenses and sensor-based stabilization, aiding handheld macro shooting. Night and astro photographers benefit from the Sony’s high ISO prowess and long exposure capabilities.

Sigma’s fixed lens is not a macro lens, and high ISO performance is weaker, limiting night photography potential.

Video Capabilities: Are They Worth Considering?

Sigma DP2 Quattro does not offer video recording, a significant drawback if hybrid shooting matters to you.

Sony A99 records Full HD 1080p video at 60, 24 fps in multiple codecs (MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264), with built-in mic and headphone jacks for serious monitoring - making it a solid choice for hybrid shooters, though not a video-centric camera by today’s standards.

Connectivity and Storage Options

Neither camera includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, reflecting their release dates before such features became commonplace.

Sony’s dual card slots outshine the Sigma’s single slot, offering better backup strategies for professionals.

Putting It All Together: Scores and Verdicts

To help visualize all this data, here’s a breakdown of overall performance ratings and genre-specific suitability:

Sony A99 clearly dominates in autofocus, image quality versatility, ruggedness, and speed. Sigma surprises with its color science and sharpness in ideal lighting but lags behind in sheer capability and adaptability.

Real-World Sample Images

Don’t take my word for it - here are side-by-side samples showing:

• Sigma DP2 Quattro’s razor-sharp skin tones and vibrant colors
• Sony A99’s dynamic range and sharpness, especially in mixed lighting

Sigma DP2 Quattro front Sigma DP2 Quattro screen back Sony A99 front Sony A99 screen back

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

Get the Sigma DP2 Quattro if:

• You want a unique, high-quality color rendition camera optimized for portraits, studio, or landscapes where portability and simplicity matter.
• You can live without interchangeable lenses or video.
• You appreciate the distinct character of the Foveon sensor and your shooting style is deliberate, slow, and artful.

Get the Sony A99 if:

• You demand a fast, reliable autofocus DSLR for sports, wildlife, portraits, and landscapes.
• You want flexibility in lenses and rugged build, plus solid video features.
• You value high ISO performance, dynamic range, and pro-grade ergonomics.
• You’re a professional or advanced enthusiast willing to invest in a robust system.

Closing… Because Every Camera Has Its Story

To sum it up, comparing the Sigma DP2 Quattro and Sony A99 is like comparing a boutique hand-crafted violin to a full-sized modern orchestra conductor’s baton - each marvelous in different contexts. The Sigma dazzles with its singular vision, the Sony overwhelms with its breadth and power.

Your choice rests on what kind of artist you are: the intimate minimalist or the versatile warrior?

Either way, the cameras bring something special to the table.

I invite you to try both if possible - or at least experience their images firsthand - before making your leap. Because this, friends, is the wonderful paradox of photography gear: sometimes the perfect tool isn’t the flashiest or fastest but the one that feels right when you press the shutter.

Happy shooting!

If you want detailed side-by-side spec charts and more sample galleries, feel free to reach out. I’ve got hundreds of hours logged on both these cameras and countless stories to share.