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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65

Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Sigma SD15 front
 
Sony SLT-A65 front
Portability
64
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 Key Specs

Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Old Model is Sigma SD14
Sony A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Launched November 2011
  • Replacement is Sony A68
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Sigma SD15 versus Sony A65, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Sigma and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD15 (5MP) and A65 (24MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The SD15 was announced 21 months prior to the A65 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD15 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A65 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SD15 grades versus the A65 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Sony A65

 SD15 A65 

Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Sigma SD15

 A65 SD15 
LaunchedNovember 2011February 2010Fresher by 21 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sigma SD15 and Sony A65

 SD15 A65 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Sigma SD15 enjoys external 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 A65 has proportions of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

See the Sigma SD15 versus Sony A65 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SD15 versus the A65.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SD15 and A65 is 59 and 64 respectively.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The photograph below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD15 and A65.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Sony A65 to show more detail with its extra 19MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos far more aggressively. The older SD15 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A65 as a Portrait photography camera
50
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (5MP)
77
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Street photography camera
Sony A65 as a Street photography camera
52
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
77
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD15 Sports photography highlights
Sony A65 Sports photography highlights
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
81
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD15 Travel photography information
Sony A65 Travel photography information
42
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
68
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A65 as a Landscape photography camera
51
focusing manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
75
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma SD15
Vlogging with Sony A65
9
lack of video recording
78
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD15 and Sony A65
 Sigma SD15Sony SLT-A65
General Information
Brand Sigma Sony
Model Sigma SD15 Sony SLT-A65
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-02-20 2011-11-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip True II Bionz
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 area 285.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2640 x 1760 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
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
Amount of lenses 76 143
Crop factor 1.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 10.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 750g (1.65 lbs) 622g (1.37 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 717
Other
Battery life - 560 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $1,500 $700