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Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7

Portability
77
Imaging
54
Features
43
Overall
49
Sigma SD1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-7 front
Portability
84
Imaging
63
Features
71
Overall
66

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 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
  • Released September 2010
  • Successor is Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony NEX-7
(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
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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).

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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.

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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 
IntroducedDecember 2011September 2010More modern by 14 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-7

 SD1 NEX-7 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-7 Portrait photography factors
64
has manual focus
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
77
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Street photography advice
Sony NEX-7 Street photography advice
62
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (0)
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-7 Sports photography details
55
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
61
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (430 per charge)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-7 Travel photography details
65
environment proofing
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
70
better than average battery pack (430 shots)
good MP (24MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-7 Landscape photography highlights
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (0)
no Time Lapse mode
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (430 CIPA)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-7 Vlogging information
9
can't shoot video
35
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone support
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-7
 Sigma SD1Sony 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