Sigma DP2s vs Sony WX70: A Tale of Two Compacts From Different Worlds

When it comes to picking a compact camera today, it’s easy to get dazzled by specs, megapixels, and marketing claims. But nothing beats sitting down with two very different cameras - one a large-sensor, fixed-lens beast, the other a budget-friendly conventional compact - and putting them through their paces side by side. That’s exactly what I did with the Sigma DP2s and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX70, cameras born in the early 2010s but still offering unique lessons in photography design and performance.

In this article, I’ll walk you through how these two stack up across the major pillars: image quality, handling, focus systems, and versatility. Along the way, you’ll find my no-nonsense verdicts on where each shines, who should consider which, and what legacy they’ve left for today’s shooters. So grab your metaphorical cup of coffee, and let’s dig in.

Getting to Know Our Contenders: Different Paths, Different Brands

Before we dive into granular comparisons, a bit of backstory and context.

The Sigma DP2s is from an era when Sigma’s quirky Foveon sensor was breaking the mold. It’s a large sensor compact with an APS-C sized sensor sporting a unique, layered color capture approach. It has a fixed 41mm-equivalent foveon lens, no viewfinder, and a minimalist feature set with manual focus as your main focusing tool. Released in 2010, it targeted advanced enthusiasts who prioritized ultimate image quality over snapshots.

On the flip side, the Sony WX70 is a later-gen small sensor compact, launched in 2012. It uses a tiny 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor with a versatile 25-125mm zoom lens, modern LCD touchscreen, and full HD video capabilities. It’s more of a no-fuss, everyday snapshot machine designed to be pocketable and user-friendly at a highly affordable price point.

So right from the outset, these cameras are almost philosophically opposed. One bets on sensor size and color fidelity; the other bets on reach, autofocus tech, and usability. Which side wins? Let’s explore.

Size and Handling: Bold vs. Pocket-Friendly

Handling tightly impacts how often and well you shoot. The DP2s, being a large-sensor compact, inevitably is bigger and heavier, designed to be a serious photographic tool rather than a pocket pawn.

Here the Sigma’s bulkiness stands out - at roughly 113 x 60 x 56 mm and 280 grams, it’s nearly three times heavier than the Sony WX70, which tips the scales at just 114 grams (92 x 52 x 19 mm). The WX70’s thin profile and tiny size make it ideal for slipping into a jacket pocket or purse unnoticed. Its lightweight chassis is unassuming - perfect for street photography or travel where discretion and ease matter.

The DP2s feels more like a compact DSLR substitute. Its heft, while cumbersome for casual strolls, lends a reassuring heft - you feel connected to a precise instrument. The button layout is simple but lacks the tactile refinement you might expect of a modern shooter (more on UI ahead).

In terms of grip and ergonomics, the WX70 is surprisingly comfortable despite its size, thanks to rounded edges and a textured back. The DP2s’s boxy shape can feel less inviting for handheld shooting over long periods.

If portability is king for your photography style, expect the WX70 to win hands-down. But if you crave a serious hold and don’t mind some extra weight, the DP2s delivers.

Control Surfaces and User Interface: Old School Meets Touchscreen

Handling extends beyond raw size to how intuitive and responsive the controls are once your eye hits the viewfinder or LCD.

The DP2s sports a sparsely appointed control deck. There’s no touchscreen, no programmable buttons, and just a few physical dials and switches. You get shutter-priority, aperture-priority, and manual exposure modes, but the menus can feel clunky and slow. Autofocus is contrast-detection only, with no face or eye detection (contrast autofocus generally means slower focus acquisition and hunting in low light). There’s also no electronic viewfinder - meaning you rely exclusively on the 2.5” fixed screen, a smallish 230k-dot affair that’s less than ideal under bright sun.

Meanwhile, the WX70 embraces a 3.0” touchscreen LCD with vibrant 922k-dot resolution. The GUI is fluid, with face detection and selectable autofocus points, and intuitive menus. It offers continuous autofocus tracking and has several exposure presets, though it lacks manual exposure modes. The touchscreen focus point select and tap-to-shoot features add to ease of use - ideal for casual shooters or those upgrading from smartphones.

Overall, the WX70’s interface feels modern and accessible; the DP2s demands more patience and expertise but rewards you with more creative control if you dig into manual modes.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Here’s where things get really interesting. Sensor size, type, and resolution define what kind of images these cameras can deliver.

The DP2s wields a Foveon X3 APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 20.7 x 13.8 mm, roughly equivalent to a DSLR of that era. However, its unique three-layer sensor captures full-color information at every pixel location differently from the traditional Bayer sensors found in almost all other cameras. Rather than interpolating color, this approach delivers incredibly rich, highly detailed images, especially in terms of color fidelity and sharpness - if you’re ready to invest time in raw processing (the DP2s handles raw files only).

But - the resolution is listed as 5 megapixels. Don’t be fooled by low pixel count; the Foveon’s layered sensor technology produces images with detail quality closer to much higher pixel counts in traditional Bayer sensors. The trade-off tends to be dynamic range and noise performance. In low light, the DP2s’s limited ISO range maxes out at 3200 native, but noise rolls in earlier than one would wish.

The Sony WX70 beefs up the pixel count to 16 megapixels, but with a credit-card size 1/2.3" sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), the individual pixels are quite small. This means more noise in low light and less flexibility for large prints. Nonetheless, the WX70 shines in bright conditions, resolving detailed shots at up to 4608 x 3456 pixels. It also provides ISO up to 12800 for emergencies, though image quality suffers significantly at higher ISOs.

In daily shooting situations, the WX70 produces sharp, vibrant JPEGs straight out of camera - a huge advantage for casual users. The DP2s’s JPEG engine is more finicky and less forgiving but shines on raw files when processed carefully in specialized software like Sigma Photo Pro.

Bottom line: The DP2s offers exceptional color reproduction and sharpness beyond what you’d expect from a 5MP count, ideal for portrait and studio work where precise color and detail matter above megapixels. The WX70 delivers higher resolution and far better high ISO performance for everyday snapshots and travel.

LCD and Viewfinder: Framing Your Shot

While the DP2s eschews an electronic viewfinder, the WX70 follows the compact camera playbook with only a back LCD.

The WX70’s 3” touchscreen truly shines here: bright, sharp, and responsive - great for reviewing shots or changing settings. Its "XtraFine TFT" technology means punchy colors and good viewing angles. The touch responsiveness is a decisive usability plus.

The DP2s’s screen feels outdated by comparison. At a small 2.5 inches and low resolution, it’s tough to confirm focus in bright-light situations or scrutinize image details. This forces more reliance on shooting technique or post-shoot reviewing on a computer.

Neither camera has a built-in or attachable viewfinder, which limits their appeal for bright outdoor shooting - a downside shared by many early compact models but notable here when compared with newer cameras that include EVFs.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Smarts

Autofocus remains a cornerstone of usability, especially in fast-moving subjects like wildlife or sports.

The Sigma DP2s uses a contrast-detection autofocus system limited to a single focus point center-weighted design with no face or eye detection. It requires manual focus assist when needed. This means focus acquisition is slower and prone to hunting under low light. The lack of multiple AF points reduces compositional flexibility.

Sony’s WX70 implements contrast-detection AF but adds face detection and multi-area focus options, more advanced for its class. It can track faces with more certainty and perform autofocus in live view with quick responsiveness. The WX70 can hit up to 10fps continuous shooting - quite nimble for a compact - though it lacks advanced tracking features found in later cameras.

In practice, I found the WX70’s autofocus quicker to lock, smoother in continuous focus scenarios, and more reliable for casual shooting. The DP2s’s manual focus interface may appeal to deliberate photographers who prefer precise focus control over speed - a nod to its niche.

Burst Shooting and Performance Under Pressure

High-speed capture is essential for sports, wildlife, or decisive street moments.

The WX70 boasts a 10fps burst mode, impressive for a compact, letting you capture action with ease (albeit with autofocus locked on the first frame). The DP2s can manage only 3fps, with a relatively shallow buffer, underscoring its more measured shoot style.

Given their respective processing capabilities - the WX70 employs Sony's BIONZ processor, smoother and faster, while the DP2s uses the True II engine optimized for Foveon files but slower to process large raw files - day-to-day shooting with the Sony is significantly more fluid.

Lens and Focal Length Versatility: Fixed vs. Zoom

Lens options in fixed-lens compacts define their usability scope.

The DP2s has a fixed 41mm equivalent lens with a focal length multiplier of 1.7, ideal for standard focal length enthusiasts, street, and portrait photography. While the max aperture isn’t specified, earlier DP series lenses tend to be around f/2.8-f/2.5 - decent for controlled depth-of-field and moderate low light.

The WX70’s zoom covers an accessible 25–125mm range (5x optical zoom), giving wide-angle for landscapes and up to telephoto for portraits or casual wildlife shots. Its maximum aperture varies from f/2.6 wide to f/6.3 at telephoto - typical consumer compact specs. Though not spectacular for bokeh, the zoom versatility can get you out of many framing situations without changing lenses.

For those who want to practice composition or prefer prime lenses' simplicity, the Sigma serves a niche well. The Sony is all about flexibility and convenience for everyday shooting.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: The Practical Bits

The DP2s’s battery life is unreported but anecdotal reports suggest modest endurance - typical for large APS-C power-hungry sensors with fixed screens and no power-saving electronic viewfinders.

The WX70 claims around 240 shots per charge, powered by a proprietary NP-BN battery pack. It also supports multiple memory card types: SD, SDHC, SDXC, and Sony’s Memory Stick Pro variants - offering broad compatibility.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, GPS, or Bluetooth - unsurprising for their time but something modern users should keep in mind.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers weatherproofing, dust sealing, shock, or freezeproof features. Both should be handled with care in challenging environments.

Video Capabilities: From Nearly None to Full HD

Here the gap widens dramatically.

The DP2s barely qualifies with a low-res 320x240 Motion JPEG video option - more a novelty than serious video tool.

The WX70, in contrast, supports full 1080p HD video at 60fps using MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. It even offers slow sync flash during video and respectable autofocus tracking during recording (common for compacts of that generation). Handy for casual video diary keeping or holiday clips but don’t expect the cinematic quality of modern mirrorless or DSLRs.

Specialty Use Case Round-Up: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let’s see what these cameras bring to the table in different photographic genres.

Portraiture: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The DP2s’s large APS-C Foveon sensor, along with its natural color rendition and lens character, delivers exquisite skin tones with smooth gradation. Its fixed 41mm lens and ability to shoot wide open make creating subject separation with nice bokeh achievable. Though its low pixel count limits cropping, the image quality is superb for large prints.

The WX70, with its smaller sensor and variable aperture zoom, struggles to deliver creamy background blur, especially at the long end and small sensor size. Skin tones are fine but less nuanced.

Landscape: Dynamic Range and Detail

The WX70’s tiny sensor limits dynamic range and noise control, though the higher resolution offers decent framing flexibility for casual landscapes. The DP2s’s Foveon sensor captures rich color depth and crispness but, as a 5MP effective resolution shooter, it can’t compete pixel-for-pixel against larger APS-C Bayer sensors in resolution or shadow recovery. Weather sealing is absent on both.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Speed

With only 3fps and no autofocus tracking, the DP2s isn’t built for action. The WX70’s 10fps burst and face detection autofocus mean it can cover casual sports and basic wildlife - though zoom reach and sensor capability limit performance on distant or fast subjects.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Portability

The WX70’s petite frame and silent focusing make it excellent for street shooting. The DP2s’s larger build and slower AF make candid shots harder. The WX’s touchscreen quick settings are better in changing light conditions or spontaneous moments.

Macro Photography

The WX70’s 5cm macro capability beats the DP2s, which has no special macro focus. However, without image stabilization, both require careful handling.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera excels here. The DP2s’s higher native ISO and manual modes could tempt enthusiasts to experiment, but limited sensor performance constrains output. The WX70’s higher maximum ISO and optical stabilization help, but small sensor noise dominates in low light.

Travel Photography

Here the WX70’s pocketability, zoom versatility, and ease of use make it a better travel companion. The DP2s’s quality images come at a cost of bulk and battery life, less suited for all-day shooting.

Professional Use

Both cameras are not professional workhorses. The DP2s might appeal to pros looking for a dedicated high-quality compact for very specific uses, given raw support and image quality. The WX70 is purely consumer-grade.

Final Performance Ratings: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Judging by overall performance - speed, image quality, usability - the Sony WX70 scores higher for versatility and user-friendliness. The Sigma DP2s ranks well on image quality but lags in autofocus, speed, and general usability.

Photography Genre Specific Scores: Who Wins What?

• Portraits: DP2s takes it thanks to color fidelity and lens quality.
• Landscapes: Slight edge to WX70 for resolution and zoom.
• Wildlife/Sports: WX70 by a mile due to AF and speed.
• Street: WX70’s compact form and faster AF win.
• Macro: WX70 with close focusing distance.
• Night: Tie, with caveats for both.
• Video: WX70 dominates with HD.
• Travel: WX70 for lightness and zoom.
• Professional: DP2s for image quality and raw.

Sample Images: Seeing Is Believing

Sigma DP2s screen back Sony WX70 front Sony WX70 screen back

In practice, the DP2s images look painterly, rich, and vibrant but require processing. The WX70 snaps clean, accessible JPEGs with more obvious noise in shadows.

Who Should Buy the Sigma DP2s?

If you’re a serious enthusiast or studio shooter prioritizing color fidelity, unique image rendition, and don’t mind slower AF and clunky handling, the DP2s will reward your patience with images you won’t easily replicate in a cheaper compact. It’s ideal for portrait photographers and still life artists experimenting with color layers. Also, collectors of unusual cameras will appreciate its quirks.

Who Should Choose the Sony WX70?

For anyone wanting a pocketable, versatile travel or everyday shooter with solid autofocus, zoom reach, and HD video, the WX70 offers tremendous value. For street shooters, casual wildlife snaps, and family memories where convenience trumps ultimate image fidelity, it’s a no-brainer.

Wrapping Up: Two Compacts, Two Visions

The Sigma DP2s and Sony WX70 occupy opposite ends of the compact camera spectrum: one a deliberate, large sensor experimental tool emphasizing image quality and manual control; the other a nimble, user-friendly machine optimized for flexible, quick shooting and video capture.

Choosing between them depends heavily on your photographic priorities. The DP2s remains a niche gem for image connoisseurs; the WX70 a competent everyman’s compact.

From portraits to travel shots, no single camera perfects every genre - but here you have two compelling options that teach us a lot about how camera design philosophies shape image-making possibilities.

In nearly 20 years of camera testing, it’s rare to find two such contrasting cameras that both have defined their user bases so distinctly. One thing’s for sure - there’s always a camera for every kind of photographer, even if it’s not the latest release blazing technological trails.

Happy shooting, whatever your pick!

End of comparison

Note: All specs and images integrated for visual clarity.