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Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500

Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50
Sigma SD1 front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500 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 a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • Superseded the Sony A3000
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500 Overview

Lets look closer at the Sigma SD1 versus Sony a3500, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the SD1 (15MP) and a3500 (20MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The SD1 was unveiled 4 years prior to the a3500 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Sigma SD1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the SD1 grades against the a3500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Sony a3500

 SD1 a3500 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Sigma SD1

 a3500 SD1 
AnnouncedMarch 2014September 2010More recent by 42 months

Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony a3500

 SD1 a3500 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Sigma SD1 has got outer measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) while the Sony a3500 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Contrast the Sigma SD1 versus Sony a3500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SD1 compared to the a3500.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SD1 and a3500 is 77 and 69 respectively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by going through specs. The graphic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1 and a3500.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony a3500 to produce greater detail having an extra 5MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older SD1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD1 Portrait photography info
Sony a3500 Portrait photography info
65
has manual focus
megapixel count good (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
77
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Street photography factors
Sony a3500 Street photography factors
62
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
maximum ISO low (0)
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Sports photography advice
Sony a3500 Sports photography advice
56
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
60
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery life (470 CIPA)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 Travel photography info
Sony a3500 Travel photography info
65
environment proofing
megapixel count good (15MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
60
better than average battery life (470 per charge)
resolution is good (20MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (411g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma SD1
Landscape photography with Sony a3500
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
maximum ISO low (0)
no Timelapse mode
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (470 CIPA)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Vlogging features
Sony a3500 Vlogging features
9
can't record video
26
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
no mic support
heavier than competition in class (411g)
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 and Sony a3500
 Sigma SD1Sony Alpha a3500
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD1 Sony Alpha a3500
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-09-21 2014-03-21
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual True II BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4800 x 3200 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO - 16000
Minimum native ISO - 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 2 -
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA Sony E
Total lenses 76 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.47x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes - Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 - 411g (0.91 lbs)
Physical dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 470 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) -
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $2,339 $398