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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57

Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Sigma SD15 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57 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
  • Announced February 2010
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD14
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A55
  • Replacement is Sony A58
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57 Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Sigma SD15 versus Sony A57, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the SD15 (5MP) and A57 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The SD15 was brought out 3 years prior to the A57 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sigma SD15 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SD15 scores versus the A57 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Sony A57

 SD15 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sigma SD15

 A57 SD15 
IntroducedSeptember 2012February 2010More recent by 31 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sigma SD15 and Sony A57

 SD15 A57 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Sigma SD15 comes with outer dimensions of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs) while the Sony A57 has specifications of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check the Sigma SD15 versus Sony A57 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SD15 against the A57.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SD15 and A57 is 59 and 64 respectively.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reading through specs. The graphic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD15 and A57.

All in all, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony A57 to resolve extra detail having its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The older SD15 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD15 Portrait photography info
Sony A57 Portrait photography info
50
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (5MP)
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Street photography camera
Sony A57 as a Street photography camera
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
75
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD15 Sports photography factors
Sony A57 Sports photography factors
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD15 Travel photography factors
Sony A57 Travel photography factors
42
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (5MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
67
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
lack of Timelapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD15 Landscape photography features
Sony A57 Landscape photography features
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
72
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD15 Vlogging highlights
Sony A57 Vlogging highlights
9
no video
77
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone support
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD15 and Sony A57
 Sigma SD15Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD15 Sony SLT-A57
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-02-20 2012-09-13
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor True II -
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 20.7 x 13.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 285.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 2640 x 1760 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 16000
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 76 143
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 pounds) 618 grams (1.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life - 550 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $1,500 $1,000