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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290

Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Sigma SD15 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Announced February 2010
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD14
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Sigma and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the SD15 (5MP) and A290 (14MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The SD15 was introduced 3 months prior to the A290 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sigma SD15 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SD15 matches up vs the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Sony A290

 SD15 A290 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sigma SD15

 A290 SD15 

Common features in the Sigma SD15 and Sony A290

 SD15 A290 
RevealedFebruary 2010June 2010Same generation
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Sigma SD15 features outside measurements of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs) while the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SD15 versus the A290.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SD15 and A290 is 59 and 66 respectively.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through technical specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SD15 and A290.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony A290 to result in more detail using its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs more aggressively.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD15 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
50
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
low resolution sensor (5MP)
65
manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma SD15
Street photography with Sony A290
52
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD15 Sports photography factors
Sony A290 Sports photography factors
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
low fps (3.0 fps)
bad battery pack (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma SD15
Travel photography with Sony A290
42
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (5MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
53
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD15 Landscape photography info
Sony A290 Landscape photography info
51
manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
58
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
bad battery pack (290 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
9
lack of video recording
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD15 and Sony A290
 Sigma SD15Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD15 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-02-20 2010-06-09
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor True II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 20.7 x 13.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 285.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2640 x 1760 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 76 143
Crop factor 1.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 750 grams (1.65 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $1,500 $600