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Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500

Portability
86
Imaging
44
Features
31
Overall
38
Sigma DP2s front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Sigma DP2s
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 3200
  • 320 x 240 video
  • 41mm (F) lens
  • 280g - 113 x 60 x 56mm
  • Released February 2010
  • Old Model is Sigma DP2
  • Replacement is Sigma DP2x
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • New Model is Sony A560
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Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Sigma DP2s and Sony A500, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Sigma and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the DP2s (5MP) and A500 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The DP2s was announced 6 months after the A500 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP2s being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the DP2s scores versus the A500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2s over the Sony A500

 DP2s A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sigma DP2s

 A500 DP2s 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Sigma DP2s and Sony A500

 DP2s A500 
IntroducedFebruary 2010August 2009Same generation
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sigma DP2s comes with physical dimensions of 113mm x 60mm x 56mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.2") along with a weight of 280 grams (0.62 lbs) and the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Contrast the Sigma DP2s and Sony A500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the DP2s and the A500.

Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the DP2s and A500 is 86 and 63 respectively.

Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes simply by looking through a spec sheet. The pic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP2s and A500.

As you can see, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony A500 to provide you with more detail with its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images much more aggressively.

Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma DP2s
Portrait photography with Sony A500
56
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
63
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP2s
Street photography with Sony A500
67
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others in class (280 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma DP2s
Sports photography with Sony A500
30
good sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (41mm)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (5MP)
has no phase detect autofocus
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery life (520 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2s Travel photography details
Sony A500 Travel photography details
67
lighter than others in class (280 grams)
built-in flash
fast max aperture (f)
low megapixels (5MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
43
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (520 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP2s Landscape photography info
Sony A500 Landscape photography info
48
you can focus manually
fast max aperture (f)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (41mm)
screen is small (2.5")
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (520 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2s Vlogging factors
Sony A500 Vlogging factors
28
fast max aperture (f)
lighter than others in class (280g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (320 x 240 pixels)
no mic socket
9
no video recording
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Sigma DP2s vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2s and Sony A500
 Sigma DP2sSony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP2s Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-02-20 2009-08-27
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by True II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 20.7 x 13.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 285.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 2640 x 1760 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 50 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 41mm (1x) -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.30 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Forced Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 320 x 240 -
Max video resolution 320x240 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 280 gr (0.62 lbs) 630 gr (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 60 x 56mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.2") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life - 520 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $940 $638