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Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II

Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50
Sigma SD1 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 II front
Portability
69
Imaging
71
Features
84
Overall
76

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II Key Specs

Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Launched September 2010
  • New Model is Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony A7 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 599g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Announced November 2014
  • Old Model is Sony A7
  • Refreshed by Sony A7 III
Photography Glossary

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Sigma SD1 and Sony A7 II, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the SD1 (15MP) and A7 II (24MP) and the SD1 (APS-C) and A7 II (Full frame) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SD1 was introduced 5 years before the A7 II which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sigma SD1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A7 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SD1 grades versus the A7 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Sony A7 II

 SD1 A7 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 II over the Sigma SD1

 A7 II SD1 
AnnouncedNovember 2014September 2010More modern by 50 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1230k460kCrisper screen (+770k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony A7 II

 SD1 A7 II 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sigma SD1 features exterior dimensions of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Sony A7 II has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check the Sigma SD1 and Sony A7 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SD1 versus the A7 II.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SD1 and A7 II is 77 and 69 respectively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading through specs. The picture below should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD1 and A7 II.

All in all, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SD1 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony A7 II will give you extra detail using its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SD1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma SD1
Portrait photography with Sony A7 II
65
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
82
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma SD1
Street photography with Sony A7 II
62
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
maximum ISO low (0)
80
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Sports photography features
Sony A7 II Sports photography features
56
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
bad battery power (350 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma SD1
Travel photography with Sony A7 II
65
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (15MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
61
environment proof
good MP (24 megapixels)
bad battery power (350 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7 II as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
maximum ISO low (0)
missing Time Lapse recording
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
bad battery power (350 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma SD1
Vlogging with Sony A7 II
9
can't record video
36
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony A7 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 and Sony A7 II
 Sigma SD1Sony Alpha A7 II
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Sony Alpha A7 II
Type Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2010-09-21 2014-11-20
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual True II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4800 x 3200 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO - 25600
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO - 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 117
Cross type focus points 2 -
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA Sony E
Number of lenses 76 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 599g (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 90
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 2449
Other
Battery life - 350 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $2,339 $1,456