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Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1

Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Sigma SD15 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Announced February 2010
  • Replaced the Sigma SD14
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1 Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Sigma SD15 and Sony a1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Sigma and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SD15 (5MP) and a1 (50MP) and the SD15 (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The SD15 was revealed 12 years earlier than the a1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sigma SD15 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SD15 grades vs the a1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Sony a1

 SD15 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sigma SD15

 a1 SD15 
LaunchedJanuary 2021February 2010More modern by 133 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kSharper display (+980k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sigma SD15 and Sony a1

 SD15 a1 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD15 has external dimensions of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") along with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma SD15 and Sony a1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SD15 compared to the a1.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD15 and a1 is 59 and 61 respectively.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by checking specs. The image underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD15 and a1.

All in all, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SD15 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony a1 will give you extra detail because of its extra 45MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The more aged SD15 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD15 Portrait photography features
Sony a1 Portrait photography features
50
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
88
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/400 seconds)
fantastic MP (50MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Street photography camera
Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
52
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD15 Sports photography information
Sony a1 Sports photography information
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5MP)
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (50MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
good battery pack (530 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD15 Travel photography details
Sony a1 Travel photography details
42
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
73
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers focus via touch
fantastic MP (50MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD15 Landscape photography info
Sony a1 Landscape photography info
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
88
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
good battery pack (530 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
36
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
includes mic support
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD15 and Sony a1
 Sigma SD15Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD15 Sony Alpha a1
Class Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2010-02-20 2021-01-26
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip True II -
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 20.7 x 13.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 285.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2640 x 1760 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 1600 32000
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA Sony E
Total lenses 76 133
Crop factor 1.7 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution None 7680x4320
Video format - XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 750 gr (1.65 lbs) 737 gr (1.62 lbs)
Physical dimensions 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single Two
Cost at release $1,500 $6,498