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Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290

Portability
77
Imaging
54
Features
43
Overall
49
Sigma SD1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Launched September 2010
  • Renewed by Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
Photography Glossary

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Sigma and Sony. The resolution of the SD1 (15MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly well matched and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The SD1 was released 4 months after the A290 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SD1 matches up against the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Sony A290

 SD1 A290 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sigma SD1

 A290 SD1 

Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony A290

 SD1 A290 
RevealedSeptember 2010June 2010Similar age
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sigma SD1 offers external measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) while the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the SD1 versus the A290.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SD1 and A290 is 77 and 66 respectively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading through technical specs. The image here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1 and A290.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can anticipate the Sigma SD1 to give greater detail as a result of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma SD1
Portrait photography with Sony A290
64
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
65
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
62
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
low max ISO (0)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
55
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low battery pack (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Travel photography info
Sony A290 Travel photography info
65
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (290 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low max ISO (0)
no Time Lapse function
57
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
low battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Vlogging factors
Sony A290 Vlogging factors
9
no video
9
lack of video recording
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 and Sony A290
 Sigma SD1Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-09-21 2010-06-09
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Dual True II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4800 x 3200 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 2 -
Lens
Lens support Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 76 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $2,339 $600