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Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99

Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50
Sigma SD1 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Introduced September 2010
  • Updated by Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Introduced December 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A900
  • Successor is Sony A99 II
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99 Overview

Following is a detailed assessment of the Sigma SD1 and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Sigma and Sony. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the SD1 (15MP) and A99 (24MP) and the SD1 (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) feature different sensor size.

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The SD1 was announced 3 years before the A99 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SD1 matches up against the A99 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Sony A99

 SD1 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Sigma SD1

 A99 SD1 
IntroducedDecember 2012September 2010More modern by 27 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k460kCrisper display (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony A99

 SD1 A99 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD1 has got external 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) while the Sony A99 has measurements of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Contrast the Sigma SD1 and Sony A99 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SD1 compared to the A99.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD1 and A99 is 77 and 57 respectively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out a spec sheet. The picture here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1 and A99.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SD1 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A99 will provide more detail with its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged SD1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma SD1
Portrait photography with Sony A99
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
82
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD1 Street photography highlights
Sony A99 Street photography highlights
62
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
low max ISO (0)
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A99 Sports photography highlights
56
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (500 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sigma SD1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 as a Travel photography camera
65
weather proofing
resolution is good (15MP)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
60
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (500 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma SD1
Landscape photography with Sony A99
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low max ISO (0)
lack of Timelapse recording
75
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
has double storage slots
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Vlogging advice
Sony A99 Vlogging advice
9
lack of video recording
76
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone port
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Sigma SD1 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD1 and Sony A99
 Sigma SD1Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD1 Sony SLT-A99
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2010-09-21 2012-12-12
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual True II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 24 x 16mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 384.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4800 x 3200 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 19
Cross focus points 2 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 76 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 812g (1.79 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 89
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots Single Dual
Pricing at release $2,339 $1,998