Sigma DP2 vs Sony W620

Sigma DP2 vs Sony W620: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When it comes to compact cameras, the market offers an astonishing variety, perfect for everyone from the amazed beginner to the seasoned pro in search of a pocketable companion. Today, I’m delving into two very different beasts under the "compact" umbrella - the Sigma DP2, a large sensor compact introduced back in 2009, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620, a more recent 2012 small-sensor compact with a zoom lens. Both are compact, but the gap between them in sensor technology, handling, and target user is vast. You’ll find this detailed dive quite revealing if you’re deciding between a meticulously crafted large-sensor, fixed-lens camera and an affordable zoom compact for everyday snapshots.

Let’s unpack their real-world performance, specifications, usability, and value, grounded in my first-hand testing and years of inspecting many cameras at this intersection.

Let’s Talk Size and Handling: Can Bigger Still Feel Portable?

Size and ergonomics play such a crucial role in how a camera inspires - or frustrates - you. Here’s where the Sigma DP2 and Sony W620 show their stark differences visually and physically.

The DP2 is chunkier, with dimensions tending toward a small mirrorless rather than a typical pocketable compact. Its fixed 41mm equivalent prime lens reflects a serious photographer’s intent, designed for precise composition, and built for those who don’t bash about but instead shoot thoughtfully.

The Sony W620 is obviously more petite and lighter at 116 grams versus DP2’s 280 grams. It comfortably slips into a pocket or small bag, making it approachable for casual daily use or family travels where you want convenience and flexibility.

A top-down glance reveals that the DP2’s robust shutter button and textured grip reinforce this feeling of a tool meant to last, whereas the W620 opts for minimalism - its thin profile and simple button layout prioritize portability and ease-of-use over comprehensive manual control.

If you prioritize ergonomics and tactile shooting experience, you’ll find the DP2 more satisfying. The W620, meanwhile, wins for sheer carry-anywhere convenience. Size-wise, these two couldn’t be more opposed philosophies.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Moving beyond the shell, the sensor really dictates ultimate image quality, dynamic range, noise performance, and creative potential.

The DP2 employs the unique Foveon X3 CMOS sensor measuring a substantial APS-C sized 20.7 x 13.8 mm. This sensor is fundamentally different from standard Bayer sensors seen on most cameras, recording all three RGB colors at every pixel location, theoretically yielding superior color resolution and sharpness at base ISO. However, it carries a low effective resolution of about 5 megapixels due to its unique design. This can feel limiting when you crop or want large prints, but the exceptional color rendition and detail in certain cases still impress.

On the other hand, the Sony W620 has a much smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor typical for superzoom compacts. At a tiny 6.17 x 4.55 mm, it carries a higher nominal resolution of 14 megapixels, but the small physical size means more noise at elevated ISOs and less latitude for cropping. Also, CCD sensors typically lag behind CMOS counterparts in speed and dynamic range performance.

In practice, the DP2 delivers astonishing color fidelity and extremely sharp, medium-resolution images suited for portraits and static subjects where resolution suffices. The W620 offers much higher resolution files, but with more noise, less richness, and weaker performance in low light. It’s really tailored for casual snapshots rather than high-grade image projects.

The LCD and Interface: Your Window to the Shot

Both cameras rely on LCDs as the primary framing and review tool - no viewfinders here - but how they stack up in usability?

The DP2’s 2.5-inch fixed LCD is straightforward but not bright or high-res by modern standards (230k-dot resolution). It suffices for critical manual focusing but is somewhat small for composition flexibility. Coupled with its lack of touchscreen, it feels dated.

The W620 sports a slightly larger 2.7-inch, 230k-dot Clear Photo TFT LCD which is fairly typical for compacts of its era. It’s bright, decent for everyday framing, but also non-touch. Unlike the DP2, the Sony interface balances user-friendliness with some automation options, beneficial for beginners.

Neither LCD excels behind harsh sunlight, but the DP2’s limited screen combined with manual focus means you’ll likely use a laptop for final image inspection more than the Sony user would.

Focusing Systems and Speed: Where Quickness Counts

Autofocus technology is critical depending on your genre. The DP2 only has single AF with contrast detect and manual focus options - no face detection, no tracking; it’s designed for deliberate, paced shooting. The Sony W620, in contrast, includes face detection autofocus with center-weighted metering and a multi-area AF system, improving accuracy on typical family or travel subjects.

Still, neither camera excels in fast action scenarios: the DP2’s burst rate caps at 3 fps while the Sony reaches just 1 fps. Their limited continuous AF and no phase-detection autofocus make them poor choices for wildlife or sports photography where lightning-fast tracking is essential.

If you shoot mostly portraits or landscapes without motion, the DP2’s deliberate focusing can actually be a strength. The W620 edges out in typical consumer use cases with point-and-shoot AF convenience.

Lens and Zoom: Prime vs Versatility

Ah, this is where the philosophies crystallize.

The DP2 is equipped with a fixed 41mm equivalent prime lens boasting a 1.7x crop factor and a constant focal length. This approximates the classic "standard" field of view loved by street photographers and portrait shooters alike for its natural perspective. As a fixed lens, it’s built around image quality optimization - sharp, minimal distortion, and capable of pleasing out-of-focus backgrounds (bokeh).

Conversely, the Sony W620 boasts a 5x zoom ranging from 28mm wide-angle to 140mm telephoto, an attractive option for casual users wanting frame flexibility. The maximum aperture narrows from f/3.2 at wide to f/6.5 at tele, indicating weaker low-light ability at longer zoom lengths.

Personally, I prefer primes - the DP2’s lens yields crisper output and creative discipline, while the W620’s zoom is undeniably handy but compromises sharpness and low-light performance.

Build Quality and Weatherproofing: Can They Open an Umbrella?

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness; both are consumer-grade compacts focused more on urban or light outdoor use.

The Sigma DP2’s robust metal body offers superior durability compared to the plastic shell of the Sony W620, which feels less sturdy. If you’re a traveler or outdoor shooter worried about knocks or damp conditions, neither camera will inspire confidence.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is a key consideration for extended outings - the W620 boasts about 220 shots per charge, typical for compact point-and-shoot cameras, while the DP2’s exact battery life data is less clear, though large sensor cameras with manual controls often require more frequent charging.

Storage-wise, the DP2 relies on a single SD/SDHC card slot, while the Sony supports a broader range of media formats including SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Duo cards, adding versatility.

Connectivity and Video

Neither camera offers modern connectivity options like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but the W620 comes equipped with Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer - a nifty feature for 2012.

Video capabilities are basic:

• Sigma DP2 records very low-res 320x240 video at 30 fps.
• Sony W620 provides HD 720p video at 30 fps with a more usable recording option.

Neither camera supports microphone input or touchscreen video controls, limiting their utility for serious videography. Image stabilization is absent on both, impacting handheld video steadiness.

Genre-Centric Real-World Performance and Sample Images

Let me take you through how these cameras behave in practical photography genres, referencing some embedded sample images I shot back-to-back for fair comparison.

Sigma DP2 front Sigma DP2 screen back Sony W620 front Sony W620 screen back

• Portrait Photography: The DP2 shines here, its APS-C sensor and Foveon chip deliver outstanding skin tone rendition and natural bokeh with a nice depth. The W620’s smaller sensor and zoom lens produce less creamy backgrounds and flatter colors. The absence of eye-detection AF on the DP2 means manual focus is needed, but for carefully composed portraits, this works well.

• Landscape Photography: Sharpness and dynamic range favor the DP2 again, but the limited resolution and absence of weather sealing restrict its extreme landscape use. The W620’s wider zoom range and lighter body make it more travel-friendly for sweeping vistas, though images lack fine detail in shadows.

• Wildlife and Sports: Neither is ideal for fast-action; the DP2’s slower AF and burst rate hamper tracking, while the W620’s modest focus speed and frame rate also disappoint. However, the W620’s telephoto zoom offers some reach for casual wildlife snaps.

• Street Photography: The DP2’s quiet operation, discrete prime lens, and excellent image quality make it rewarding if you enjoy contemplative street shooting. The W620’s zoom and smaller size are less obtrusive but at image quality cost.

• Macro Photography: The W620 allows 5 cm focusing, useful for close-ups, but image quality limits detailed macro work. The DP2 lacks a true macro capability and stabilization.

• Night/Astro Photography: The DP2’s APS-C sensor yields cleaner images at base ISO and can handle longer exposures (up to 15 seconds shutter speed). The W620’s small sensor struggles in low light with noise rampant above ISO 400.

• Video: The W620 is the preferred choice as the DP2’s low-resolution video essentially relegates it to stills-only use.

• Travel: The Sony W620’s pocketability, zoom versatility, and better battery life make it the more versatile travel companion for casual users. The DP2 appeals to photography purists wanting superior image quality but who don’t mind bulk.

• Professional Work: Neither camera fits squarely into the professional category, but the DP2’s RAW support and color fidelity might tempt some fine-art or editorial photographers on a budget.

Scoring the Cameras Overall and by Photography Type

Here’s a quick visual summary based on my thorough hands-on testing and evaluation across essential criteria and genres.

As you can see, the Sigma DP2 dominates in static photography disciplines emphasizing color quality and sharpness while the Sony W620 excels modestly in video, portability, and zoom versatility.

Technical Takeaways for the Discerning Photographer

• The primary technological edge the DP2 holds is its Foveon APS-C sensor - a unique design that offers superior color rendition and arguably sharper images per pixel, but at the cost of lower resolution and slower operation.

• Sony’s CCD sensor in the W620 delivers higher pixel-count images but can’t match the clean output or dynamic range of the DP2.

• Lack of image stabilization in both cameras severely limits handheld low-light and video performance.

• Autofocus systems on both cameras are rudimentary by today’s standards; expect to manually focus on the DP2 and accept slower AF on the W620.

• The fixed prime lens of the DP2 ensures excellent optical performance, but for users craving zoom flexibility, the W620’s lens is more practical.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Sigma DP2 if:

• You are a still-life, portrait, or landscape photographer seeking extraordinary color fidelity in a compact form.
• You prefer manual focus and thoughtful composition over quick snapshots.
• You shoot mostly in good light and want RAW file support for post-processing.
• Image quality trumps zoom versatility and video.

Choose the Sony W620 if:

• You want a light, pocketable everyday camera with a handy 5x zoom.
• Casual snapshots, travel photos, or family events are your priority.
• Having basic face detection autofocus and easy-to-use automation matter.
• Video capability and battery life are important to you on a budget.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, the Sigma DP2 is a niche masterclass in large sensor compact design from a time when many manufacturers hesitated to defy the megapixel race with a radically different sensor. It demands patience, manual operation, and an artistic eye, rewarding you with unique images that feel alive in color and tonality.

The Sony W620 is a quintessential consumer compact, affordable and simple with modest image quality. It shines primarily in convenience and zoom flexibility, not in photography as serious craft.

Both cameras stand as fascinating study pieces in compact design philosophies. Depending on what matters most to you, either could serve as a charming entry point or a casual secondary camera. But for meaningful creative control and image excellence, I personally lean toward the DP2’s unique sensor and prime lens experience despite its age.

If you want to see these cameras side-by-side in action, check out my comprehensive video review where I put autofocus, image quality, and user handling head-to-head.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera bring you more joy behind the viewfinder!