Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65
59 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44


64 Imaging
63 Features
85 Overall
71
Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sigma SD15 and Sony SLT-A65. The whole galleries are viewable at Sigma SD15 Gallery and Sony A65 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Sony A65
SD15 | A65 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Sigma SD15
A65 | SD15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2011 | ![]() | February 2010 | Fresher by 21 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Sigma SD15 and Sony A65
SD15 | A65 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A65 Specifications
Sigma SD15 | Sony 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 |