Sigma SD10 vs Sony NEX-3
54 Imaging
39 Features
27 Overall
34


89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Sigma SD10 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 3MP - APS-C Sensor
- 1.8" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 800 (Raise to 1600)
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
- Revealed March 2004
- Replaced the Sigma SD9
- Renewed by Sigma SD14
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Introduced June 2010
- Renewed by Sony NEX-C3

Sigma SD10 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Its time to look closer at the Sigma SD10 versus Sony NEX-3, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the SD10 (3MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) but they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The SD10 was revealed 7 years prior to the NEX-3 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sigma SD10 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SD10 grades vs the NEX-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sigma SD10 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sigma SD10 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The full galleries are available at Sigma SD10 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD10 over the Sony NEX-3
SD10 | NEX-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sigma SD10
NEX-3 | SD10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2010 | ![]() | March 2004 | Fresher by 75 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 1.8" | Larger display (+1.2") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 130k | Crisper display (+790k dot) |
Common features in the Sigma SD10 and Sony NEX-3
SD10 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Sigma SD10 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Sigma SD10 features physical dimensions of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") along with a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has specifications of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Examine the Sigma SD10 versus Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SD10 compared to the NEX-3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SD10 and NEX-3 is 54 and 89 respectively.

Sigma SD10 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD10 and NEX-3.
Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can anticipate the Sony NEX-3 to render greater detail because of its extra 11MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older SD10 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma SD10 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD10 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Sigma SD10 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sigma | Sony |
Model | Sigma SD10 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2004-03-19 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
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 aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 2268 x 1512 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 800 | 12800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 1600 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Sigma SA | Sony E |
Total lenses | 76 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 1.8 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 130k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 98 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.77x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/6000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum 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 | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 1.0 (1.5 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 | 950 grams (2.09 pounds) | 297 grams (0.65 pounds) |
Dimensions | 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 photographs |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash Type I or II | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $198 | $0 |