Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3
77 Imaging
55 Features
43 Overall
50


91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
- Replacement is Sigma SD1 Merrill
(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

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).

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.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Sigma SD1 and Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The entire galleries are viewable at Sigma SD1 Gallery and Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2011 | ![]() | September 2010 | More modern by 11 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony NEX-C3
SD1 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Sigma SD1 | Sony 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 |