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Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550

Portability
54
Imaging
39
Features
27
Overall
34
Sigma SD10 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Sigma SD10
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 800 (Increase to 1600)
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Revealed March 2004
  • Older Model is Sigma SD9
  • Successor is Sigma SD14
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced December 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A100
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Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Sigma and Sony. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the SD10 (3MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The SD10 was released 6 years before the A550 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Sigma SD10 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SD10 grades versus the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD10 over the Sony A550

 SD10 A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sigma SD10

 A550 SD10 
AnnouncedDecember 2009March 2004Newer by 69 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution922k130kCrisper screen (+792k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD10 and Sony A550

 SD10 A550 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD10 enjoys outside measurements of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") with a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SD10 versus the A550.

Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SD10 and A550 is 54 and 63 respectively.

Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The picture below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD10 and A550.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony A550 to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 11MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD10 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma SD10
Portrait photography with Sony A550
47
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low resolution (3 megapixels)
71
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD10 Street photography info
Sony A550 Street photography info
43
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (950 grams)
low maximum ISO (800)
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD10 Sports photography info
Sony A550 Sports photography info
36
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution (3MP)
no phase detect AF
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD10 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
29
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (950 grams)
low resolution (3MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
51
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery power (480 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD10 Landscape photography information
Sony A550 Landscape photography information
41
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (1.8 inches)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution (3 megapixels)
low maximum ISO (800)
doesn't have Timelapse function
66
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
terrible battery power (480 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD10 Vlogging factors
Sony A550 Vlogging factors
9
can't shoot video
9
can't record video
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Sigma SD10 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD10 and Sony A550
 Sigma SD10Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD10 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2004-03-19 2009-12-09
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 20.7 x 13.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 285.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 3 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 2268 x 1512 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 800 12800
Max boosted ISO 1600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 76 143
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 1.8" 3"
Display resolution 130k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.77x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 950 gr (2.09 lb) 632 gr (1.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 807
Other
Battery life - 480 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash Type I or II SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $198 $749