Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7
77 Imaging
54 Features
43 Overall
49


84 Imaging
63 Features
71 Overall
66
Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 0 - 0
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
- Released September 2010
- Successor is Sigma SD1 Merrill
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Introduced December 2011

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview
Below, we are evaluating the Sigma SD1 versus Sony NEX-7, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Sigma and Sony. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the SD1 (15MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

The SD1 was introduced 14 months before the NEX-7 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Sigma SD1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a short view of how the SD1 grades vs the NEX-7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Sigma SD1 & Sony Alpha NEX-7. The whole galleries are provided at Sigma SD1 Gallery & Sony NEX-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Sony NEX-7
SD1 | NEX-7 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Sigma SD1
NEX-7 | SD1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | December 2011 | ![]() | September 2010 | More modern by 14 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-7
SD1 | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD1 has exterior measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Sony NEX-7 has measurements of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).
Compare the Sigma SD1 versus Sony NEX-7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SD1 versus the NEX-7.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 and NEX-7 is 77 and 84 respectively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its tough to see the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing technical specs. The picture here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1 and NEX-7.
As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Sony NEX-7 to offer extra detail using its extra 9MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD1 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications
Sigma SD1 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sigma | Sony |
Model type | Sigma SD1 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
Released | 2010-09-21 | 2011-12-13 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Dual True II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 24 x 16mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 384.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4800 x 3200 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | - | 16000 |
Lowest native ISO | - | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
Cross type focus points | 2 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Sigma SA | Sony E |
Total lenses | 76 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 6.00 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | - | 400g (0.88 lbs) |
Dimensions | 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 81 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 24.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.4 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1016 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 430 photographs |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $2,339 | $699 |