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Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50
Sigma SD1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
  • Replacement is Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-F3
Photography Glossary

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-C3, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Sigma and Sony. The image resolution of the SD1 (15MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is very comparable and they use the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The SD1 was manufactured 11 months prior to the NEX-C3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sigma SD1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SD1 matches up against the NEX-C3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Sony NEX-C3

 SD1 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sigma SD1

 NEX-C3 SD1 
LaunchedAugust 2011September 2010More modern by 11 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-C3

 SD1 NEX-C3 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sigma SD1 enjoys exterior dimensions 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-C3 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-C3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SD1 and the NEX-C3.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SD1 and NEX-C3 is 77 and 91 respectively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing specs. The picture underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD1 and NEX-C3.

All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Sony NEX-C3 to show greater detail due to its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography factors
65
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
62
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
low max ISO (0)
79
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography info
56
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
53
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery power (400 shots)
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography advice
65
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
71
great battery power (400 shots)
lighter than competition (225g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low max ISO (0)
lack of Timelapse recording
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (400 shots)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma SD1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
9
no video
27
lighter than competition (225g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-C3
 Sigma SD1Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD1 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-09-21 2011-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 15MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4800 x 3200 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 25
Cross focus points 2 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sigma SA Sony E
Number of lenses 76 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 225 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1083
Other
Battery life - 400 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $2,339 $343