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Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
77
Imaging
54
Features
43
Overall
49
Sigma SD1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
58
Overall
55

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • New Model is Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5N
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-5, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD1 (15MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The SD1 was revealed 4 months after the NEX-5 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the SD1 matches up vs the NEX-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Sony NEX-5

 SD1 NEX-5 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sigma SD1

 NEX-5 SD1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-5

 SD1 NEX-5 
IntroducedSeptember 2010June 2010Similar generation
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD1 has got 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 NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check out the Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SD1 against the NEX-5.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD1 and NEX-5 is 77 and 89 respectively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading specs. The image here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD1 and NEX-5.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Sigma SD1 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography features
64
focusing manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Street photography features
Sony NEX-5 Street photography features
62
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
max ISO too low (0)
76
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography info
55
good resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
51
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Travel photography camera
65
weather proof
good resolution (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
59
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography features
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good resolution (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no liveview
no image stabilization
max ISO too low (0)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
67
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-5
 Sigma SD1Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 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 dimensions 24 x 16mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4800 x 3200 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO - 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 25
Cross focus points 2 -
Lens
Lens mount Sigma SA Sony E
Amount of lenses 76 121
Focal length multiplier 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 function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 287g (0.63 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 69
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 796
Other
Battery life - 330 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $2,339 $599