Sigma DP2s vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Distinct Compact Cameras

As someone who's tested countless cameras over the years - ranging from entry-level compacts to pro-grade mirrorless systems - I always find it fascinating to pit two very different cameras against each other. Today, we're diving deep into a comparison of the Sigma DP2s and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1. Both compact in form, but radically different in design philosophy, sensor technology, and intended audience.

One’s a large sensor compact with an uncompromising fixed lens, while the other opts for ultra-compact versatility with a longer zoom and clever optical stabilization. This detailed, hands-on comparison will dissect their strengths, weaknesses, and ultimately who should consider each model - whether you’re a portrait artist, a landscape lover, or a vacation snapshotper.

Let’s start by examining their physical make-up and build quality...

Getting a Grip: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

When it comes to compact cameras, size, weight, and button layout can make or break your shooting experience. The Sigma DP2s weighs in at 280 grams with dimensions roughly 113x60x56 mm, whereas the Sony TX1 is a featherlight 142 grams, measuring just 94x58x17 mm - a true pocket rocket.

That considerable thickness of the DP2s hints at its large sensor and robust build. It feels more substantial and “camera-like” in hand, offering a firmer grip despite lacking a dedicated viewfinder. The SX1, on the other hand, slips effortlessly into any pocket. It’s slim, slick, and designed for spontaneous shooting, with a touchscreen interface compensating for its minimalist physical controls.

Speaking of control layouts:

The DP2s sports minimal but thoughtfully-placed buttons and a small non-touch 2.5” fixed LCD. Sony trims the buttons even further but offers a more modern 3” touchscreen on the TX1, making navigation smoother for users comfortable with touch interfaces. However, I personally prefer physical dials and buttons over touchscreens for tactile precision, particularly outdoors or in cold weather.

There is no electronic viewfinder on either model, so eye-level composition is absent. With their respective designs, the DP2s calls for a more deliberate, steady shooting approach, and the TX1 favors quick grabs and casual snaps.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This part is where these cameras diverge dramatically. The Sigma DP2s is built around a large APS-C sized Foveon X3 CMOS sensor measuring 20.7 x 13.8 mm - significantly larger than typical compacts. Meanwhile, the Sony TX1 uses a much smaller 1/2.4” BSI-CMOS sensor measuring only 6.1 x 4.6 mm.

The DP2s has a sensor area over 10x that of the TX1 (285.7 vs 27.9 mm²), naturally resulting in better image quality potential - especially in detail reproduction, dynamic range, and noise control.

In practical testing, the DP2s’s Foveon sensor delivers impressively rich color fidelity and nuanced skin tones, owing to its unique three-layer pixel technology capturing red, green, and blue at every pixel location. That means no Bayer interpolation - and a very natural color rendering, prized for portrait and fine art photography.

However, its nominal resolution of 5 megapixels doesn't tell the whole story. The actual detail captured feels closer to a 14-megapixel Bayer sensor in sharpness due to its full-color capture method. The TX1, conversely, offers a higher nominal 10MP resolution but cannot match the detail and color depth of the Sigma’s sensor.

The downside: the DP2s’s slow sensor readout and moderate ISO ceiling (3200) limit its low-light performance compared to Sony’s BSI tech optimized for better noise control at higher sensitivities.

This is a classic trade-off - Sigma’s large sensor is fantastic daylight portraiture and landscapes, but it demands good light and deliberate shooting. The Sony TX1, optimized for versatility and speed, performs reasonably in average light with its stabilized zoom.

Live View, Screen, and Interface: How You Preview and Navigate

Though neither camera has a viewfinder, the screens differ considerably, both technically and practically.

The DP2s has a 2.5" 230k pixel non-touch LCD. It’s unassuming but sufficient for composing shots. The fixed tilting screen is an older design - less readable in bright sunlight - and hasn’t aged well by today’s standards.

In contrast, the Sony TX1 boasts a larger 3" 230k pixel touchscreen, allowing intuitive menu navigation, touch-to-focus, and easier reviewing of images on the fly. This touchscreen makes the TX1 more accessible for casual shooters or those transitioning from smartphone photography.

But from my experience, touchscreens on older compacts have mixed reliability - the sensitivity isn’t always spot-on, and using the camera with gloves or wet hands can be frustrating. For consistent manual control, the DP2s’s physical buttons, while sparse, can offer more direct feedback.

Lens Performance: Fixed Prime vs Versatile Zoom

A key aspect to consider is the lens system each camera houses. The DP2s sports a fixed 41mm equivalent prime lens (about a classic “normal” focal length), while the TX1 offers a 35-140mm equivalent zoom lens with 4x optical reach.

This influences how each camera handles various genres:

• The Sigma is ideal for portraits, street, and landscape shots where image quality trumps zoom flexibility. Its fixed, sharp lens minimizes distortions and produces creamy bokeh thanks to deeper apertures.
• The Sony shines for travel, casual, or event photography, where zoom range and versatility can capture different perspectives without switching lenses.

Importantly, Sigma’s prime lens is paired with a unique Foveon sensor tailored for exquisite resolution and color integrity at one focal length. Conversely, Sony’s lens, though optically stabilized, exhibits softness at the telephoto end and moderate distortion wide open.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Making the Moment

If capturing fleeting moments is your priority, autofocus accuracy and burst rate matter. Both cameras utilize contrast-detection AF, with neither having phase detection or face/eye tracking.

The DP2s offers single AF only, with no continuous or tracking modes. It’s slow to lock focus and often requires multiple attempts in low light. This makes it less suited to fast action.

The TX1’s contrast AF is quicker - especially thanks to nine AF points - but still limited by the technology and sensor size. No continuous AF or sophisticated tracking exists, but in decent light, it is more responsive for casual shooting.

On continuous shooting, the DP2s offers 3fps burst mode, modest but serviceable for simple sequences. The TX1 does not specify continuous shooting rates and is generally slower in this regard.

For sports and wildlife, neither are ideal, but the Sony’s slightly faster AF and zoom might be more useful.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Capabilities

The Sony TX1 benefits from optical image stabilization, a significant advantage given its small sensor and telephoto zoom. Stabilization helps in handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds.

The Sigma DP2s lacks any form of image stabilization, meaning it demands steadier hands or tripod use, especially given its slower shutter sync speeds and sensor characteristics.

Low-light performance also favors the Sony, which stays usable up to ISO 3200 with reasonable noise levels relative to the DP2s's noisier output at anything above ISO 800.

For night, astro shooting, or indoor events without a flash, Sony is the safer bet, although neither camera excels compared to dedicated low-light models or mirrorless cameras.

Video Capabilities: YouTube Ready?

If video is part of your workflow, it’s important to mention what each camera brings to the table:

• The DP2s provides only very low-res video (320x240) at a modest frame rate, practically a novelty feature.
• The TX1, released around the same time, offers 720p HD video at 30fps, usable for casual clips, and includes stereo sound recording.

Neither camera supports advanced video features such as mic inputs, manual exposure in video mode, or 4K. However, the TX1 represents a more viable choice for casual video enthusiasts, while the DP2s is firmly photography-only.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Neither model includes official battery life figures - typical for compacts of their era - but practical usage reveals the DP2s’s battery depletes faster owing to its processing-intensive sensor and lack of optimization.

The Sony TX1 conserves power well - partly due to smaller sensor size and efficient Bionz processor. Both cameras use single memory card slots, but the DP2s uses SD/SDHC/SDMMC cards, while the TX1 supports Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo and internal memory.

Connectivity is minimal on both. No WiFi, Bluetooth, or NFC, and only USB 2.0 for data transfer. The TX1 includes an HDMI port for direct output, which might be a handy feature for slide shows or playback on HDTVs.

Environmental Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or rugged protections. The DP2s’s thicker build gives a perception of more toughness but is not shockproof or waterproof, nor is the TX1.

If you intend to shoot outdoors regularly in challenging conditions, you’ll need external protection regardless of model.

Real-World Photography Use Cases

Now that we have dissected the specs and core features, let’s discuss how these two cameras fare in various photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

The Sigma DP2s shines here, thanks to its larger sensor and Foveon color depth, which captures skin tones with natural warmth and subtleties. The 41mm lens focal length and its fast aperture contribute to a pleasing background blur and strong subject separation. Manual focus (though clunky) can assist in fine-tuning.

The Sony TX1 is more limited - while the zoom offers framing flexibility, image quality and noise at portrait-appropriate apertures are less impressive. Autofocus is slower and struggles with complex skin textures under harsh lighting, making the Sony less ideal for serious portrait work.

Landscape and Nature

Again, the Sigma DP2s's higher dynamic range and resolution provide crisp details and well-rendered skies and foliage, crucial to landscape shooters. That said, the fixed lens requires you to step back or crop to manage composition.

The Sony TX1’s zoom lens lets you experiment between wide and moderate telephoto framing, but the smaller sensor hampers dynamic range and resolution. Low-light conditions like sunset or golden hour also reveal its limitations.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither model was built for high-speed photography, but if forced, the TX1’s slightly faster autofocus and zoom range make it modestly better at capturing moving subjects. The DP2s’s slow focus and modest burst rate put it out of contention for wildlife action.

Street Photography

Both cameras are compact enough for candid shooting, but the Sigma’s bulk makes it less discreet. The DP2s also demands more deliberate composition due to slow autofocus.

The Sony TX1 excels in portability, quiet operation, and zoom flexibility, making it a better companion for street photographers who want to shoot on the fly.

Macro Photography

The Sony TX1 can focus down to 8 cm, handy for casual close-ups and detail shots. The DP2s lacks dedicated macro modes and has no specialized focusing range declared.

If macro shots are your priority, Sony’s optical zoom and close-focus ability provide more versatility.

Night and Astro Photography

The Sigma DP2s’s APS-C sensor could theoretically capture fine star detail, but the lack of stabilization and lower ISO performance limit practical results.

Sony’s stabilized lens and better high ISO handling make the TX1 a more plausible option for night street scenes or informal astro shots, though its sensor is still small for such demanding work.

Video Use

The TX1’s HD video ability places it ahead for casual video capture, while the DP2s video output is too low-res to be practically useful.

Travel and Everyday Use

Sony’s compact size, zoom versatility, and touchscreen make it a much better all-rounder for travel photography, capturing a variety of subjects on the fly, and easy sharing once transferred.

The DP2s is a portable prime lens specialist option, best paired with a deliberate shooting style and external tripod for the sharpest results.

Professional Applications

Neither camera targets high-end professional workflows directly. The DP2s offers raw support for post-processing flexibility and exceptional JPEG quality for fine art, but its sluggish operation limits rapid shooting.

Sony’s video support and zoom range bring some utility for casual journalism or multimedia projects, but its raw format absence and limited controls hamper professional work.

Summing Up the Differences with Visuals

Before I finalize my verdict, let’s look at sample image comparisons and a breakdown of overall and genre-specific scores, to ground our impressions with concrete performance data.

Sigma DP2s screen back Sony TX1 front Sony TX1 screen back

Notice the DP2s’s richer color gradations and finer detail in the portrait and landscape shots, contrasted with the Sony’s tendency towards higher noise and less edge acuity. The Sony’s zoom shots offer framing versatility but lose sharpness at full reach.

Here you can see the Sigma DP2s scores higher in still image quality and color depth, while the Sony TX1 leads in portability and video.

In portrait, landscape, and macro categories, Sigma dominates, whereas the Sony edges forward in travel, street, and video scoring.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Pick Which?

If you’re a photography enthusiast or professional seeking a large sensor compact for portraits, landscapes, or fine art, the Sigma DP2s is a niche but rewarding pick. Its color fidelity and detail are outstanding among compacts, and you’ll appreciate the image quality once you adapt to its deliberate pace and focusing quirks. Expect to shoot mostly in good lighting with a tripod at hand for best results.

If you want a small, pocketable, versatile camera for travel, street photography, and casual video, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 is the smarter choice. Its stabilized zoom lens, touchscreen, and lighter body make it easier for spontaneous shooting and everyday carry. While image quality is modest compared to the Sigma, it’s sufficiently sharp and clean for social sharing and prints up to moderate sizes.

Budget-wise, the Sony’s lower price point reflects its target as a mass-market ultracompact, whereas the Sigma's premium cost aligns with its larger sensor technology and specialized appeal.

Closing Thoughts from My Experience

I’ve always admired Sigma’s bold choice to pack the Foveon sensor into a compact body, delivering unique image characteristics still beloved by many. Yet, it truly demands patience and a more methodical approach.

Sony’s TX1 embodies the classic pocket camera ethos - small, quick, and convenient - though its image quality limitations show the price paid for portability.

Whichever route you choose, knowing these cameras intimately will help you avoid buyer’s remorse. My advice: try to handle both in person, if possible, and consider what matters most to your photography style: ultimate detail and color fidelity or convenience and zoom flexibility.

Dear camera makers, meanwhile, keep pushing sensor and lens innovation so one day, perhaps, these trade-offs won’t be so stark.

Happy shooting!

• • For my in-depth video field test and sample galleries reflecting these points, see my full hands-on reviews linked above.*

Summary Table for Quick Reference

Thank you for reading this thorough comparison. If you want to discuss specific shooting scenarios or need personalized advice, feel free to ask!