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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7

Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Sigma SD15 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7 Key Specs

Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Released February 2010
  • Previous Model is Sigma SD14
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Renewed by Sony A7 II
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Sigma SD15 and Sony A7, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the SD15 (5MP) and A7 (24MP) and the SD15 (APS-C) and A7 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The SD15 was unveiled 4 years before the A7 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD15 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SD15 grades vs the A7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Sony A7

 SD15 A7 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sigma SD15

 A7 SD15 
RevealedJanuary 2014February 2010Fresher by 47 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1230k460kSharper screen (+770k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD15 and Sony A7

 SD15 A7 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Sigma SD15 has external dimensions of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs) while the Sony A7 has specifications of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

Compare the Sigma SD15 and Sony A7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SD15 versus the A7.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD15 and A7 is 59 and 78 respectively.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching technical specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SD15 and A7.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SD15 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony A7 will result in greater detail having an extra 19 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The older SD15 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sigma SD15
Portrait photography with Sony A7
50
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
low megapixels (5MP)
82
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD15 Street photography highlights
Sony A7 Street photography highlights
52
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
79
screen tilts
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
lighter than competition (474 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD15 Sports photography info
Sony A7 Sports photography info
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (5MP)
66
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
bad battery power (340 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7 as a Travel photography camera
42
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (5MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (474 grams)
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
bad battery power (340 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD15 Landscape photography info
Sony A7 Landscape photography info
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
no image stabilization
bad battery power (340 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD15 Vlogging info
Sony A7 Vlogging info
9
lack of video recording
35
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone jack
lighter than competition (474 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD15 and Sony A7
 Sigma SD15Sony Alpha A7
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD15 Sony Alpha A7
Class Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Released 2010-02-20 2014-01-22
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip True II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 20.7 x 13.8mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 285.7mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 2640 x 1760 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 50
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 117
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Sigma SA Sony E
Total lenses 76 121
Crop factor 1.7 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash modes - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 750g (1.65 lbs) 474g (1.04 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 90
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.2
DXO Low light score not tested 2248
Other
Battery life - 340 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $1,500 $798