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Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000

Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Sigma SD15 front
 
Sony Alpha a5000 front
Portability
89
Imaging
62
Features
62
Overall
62

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000 Key Specs

Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Released February 2010
  • Previous Model is Sigma SD14
Sony a5000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3N
  • New Model is Sony a5100
Photography Glossary

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Sigma SD15 versus Sony a5000, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Sigma and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the SD15 (5MP) and a5000 (20MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The SD15 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the a5000 which is quite a sizable gap 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 a5000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SD15 matches up vs the a5000 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Sony a5000

 SD15 a5000 

Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Sigma SD15

 a5000 SD15 
RevealedJanuary 2014February 2010More modern by 47 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD15 and Sony a5000

 SD15 a5000 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Sigma SD15 features exterior dimensions 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 a5000 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Sigma SD15 versus Sony a5000 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SD15 versus the a5000.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD15 and a5000 is 59 and 89 respectively.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD15 and a5000.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Sony a5000 to resolve greater detail having an extra 15MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged SD15 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD15 Portrait photography factors
Sony a5000 Portrait photography factors
50
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (5MP)
70
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD15 Street photography factors
Sony a5000 Street photography factors
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
78
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a5000 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
59
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
good battery power (420 per charge)
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma SD15
Travel photography with Sony a5000
42
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (5MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
78
good battery power (420 CIPA)
megapixel count good (20MP)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a5000 as a Landscape photography camera
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (420 shots)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma SD15
Vlogging with Sony a5000
9
no video shooting
32
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing mic socket
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony a5000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD15 and Sony a5000
 Sigma SD15Sony Alpha a5000
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD15 Sony Alpha a5000
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-02-20 2014-01-07
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip True II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 20.7 x 13.8mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor surface area 285.7mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 2640 x 1760 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 1600 16000
Highest boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Sigma SA Sony E
Total lenses 76 121
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1.6
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction
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
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 750 grams (1.65 lbs) 269 grams (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1089
Other
Battery life - 420 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $1,500 $448