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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99

Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Sigma SD15 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99 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
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD14
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Released December 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A900
  • Later Model is Sony A99 II
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Sigma SD15 and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Sigma and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the SD15 (5MP) and A99 (24MP) and the SD15 (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The SD15 was brought out 3 years prior to the A99 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SD15 grades against the A99 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Sony A99

 SD15 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Sigma SD15

 A99 SD15 
ReleasedDecember 2012February 2010Newer by 34 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k460kClearer display (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sigma SD15 and Sony A99

 SD15 A99 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Sigma SD15 offers outside measurements of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has specifications of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma SD15 and Sony A99 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SD15 against the A99.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD15 and A99 is 59 and 57 respectively.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching technical specs. The image below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD15 and A99.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SD15 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A99 will provide you with greater detail having its extra 19MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged SD15 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD15 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A99 as a Portrait photography camera
50
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
81
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD15 Street photography highlights
Sony A99 Street photography highlights
52
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
75
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD15 Sports photography factors
Sony A99 Sports photography factors
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD15 Travel photography highlights
Sony A99 Travel photography highlights
42
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (5MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
60
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (500 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma SD15
Landscape photography with Sony A99
51
manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD15 Vlogging factors
Sony A99 Vlogging factors
9
can't record video
76
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone jack
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Sigma SD15 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD15 and Sony A99
 Sigma SD15Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD15 Sony SLT-A99
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2010-02-20 2012-12-12
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor True II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 20.7 x 13.8mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 285.7mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 2640 x 1760 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 25600
Max enhanced ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 76 143
Crop factor 1.7 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 750g (1.65 pounds) 812g (1.79 pounds)
Dimensions 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 89
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots One 2
Cost at release $1,500 $1,998