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Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50
Sigma SD1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 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
  • Announced September 2010
  • Replacement is Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-C3
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. The resolution of the SD1 (15MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The SD1 was announced 4 months after the NEX-3 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sigma SD1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SD1 grades vs the NEX-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Sony NEX-3

 SD1 NEX-3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sigma SD1

 NEX-3 SD1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-3

 SD1 NEX-3 
IntroducedSeptember 2010June 2010Similar age
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sigma SD1 has exterior measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Examine the Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SD1 against the NEX-3.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD1 and NEX-3 is 77 and 89 respectively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading specs. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1 and NEX-3.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sigma SD1 to offer you extra detail with its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs more aggressively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma SD1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
65
focusing manually
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
72
you can focus manually
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Street photography details
Sony NEX-3 Street photography details
62
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
max ISO too low (0)
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma SD1
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
56
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
52
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma SD1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
65
weather proofing
good resolution (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
59
decent MP (14MP)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography advice
61
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
max ISO too low (0)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
68
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
27
provides face detection focusing
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-3
 Sigma SD1Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-09-21 2010-06-07
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Dual True II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4800 x 3200 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO - 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 2 -
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA Sony E
Amount of lenses 76 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 - 297 grams (0.65 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 68
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 830
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $2,339 $0