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Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230

Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50
Sigma SD1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230 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
  • Introduced September 2010
  • Newer Model is Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
Photography Glossary

Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230 Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Sigma SD1 and Sony W230, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Sigma and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD1 (15MP) and W230 (12MP) and the SD1 (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The SD1 was unveiled 20 months later than the W230 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sigma SD1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SD1 matches up versus the W230 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Sony W230

 SD1 W230 
RevealedSeptember 2010February 2009More recent by 20 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sigma SD1

 W230 SD1 

Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony W230

 SD1 W230 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Sigma SD1 comes with external measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) while the Sony W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

See the Sigma SD1 and Sony W230 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SD1 compared to the W230.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SD1 and W230 is 77 and 95 respectively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The graphic underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1 and W230.

All in all, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SD1 having a bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Sigma SD1 will provide you with greater detail having an extra 3MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The fresher SD1 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma SD1
Portrait photography with Sony W230
65
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
27
manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Street photography info
Sony W230 Street photography info
62
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (0)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Sports photography factors
Sony W230 Sports photography factors
56
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma SD1
Travel photography with Sony W230
65
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
61
manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (0)
does not have Timelapse recording
37
manual focus
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Vlogging features
Sony W230 Vlogging features
9
no video shooting
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic socket
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 and Sony W230
 Sigma SD1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-09-21 2009-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Dual True II -
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 24 x 16mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 384.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4800 x 3200 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO - 3200
Minimum native ISO - 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 2 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sigma SA fixed lens
Lens focal range - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Available lenses 76 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 1 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 640x480
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 156g (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $2,339 $180