Sigma SD9 vs Sony A550
54 Imaging
38 Features
27 Overall
33


63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
Sigma SD9 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 3MP - APS-C Sensor
- 1.8" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 400
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
- Launched November 2002
- Later Model is Sigma SD10
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Introduced December 2009
- Replaced the Sony A100

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A550 Overview
Below is a extended overview of the Sigma SD9 vs Sony A550, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Sigma and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the SD9 (3MP) and A550 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The SD9 was brought out 8 years earlier than the A550 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD9 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the SD9 grades against the A550 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A550 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sigma SD9 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The entire galleries are viewable at Sigma SD9 Gallery & Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Sony A550
SD9 | A550 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sigma SD9
A550 | SD9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | December 2009 | ![]() | November 2002 | More recent by 85 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 1.8" | Larger display (+1.2") |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 130k | Clearer display (+792k dot) |
Common features in the Sigma SD9 and Sony A550
SD9 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Sigma SD9 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sigma SD9 has got outside measurements of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) and the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Check out the Sigma SD9 vs Sony A550 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SD9 compared to the A550.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SD9 and A550 is 54 and 63 respectively.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements simply by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD9 and A550.
Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Sony A550 to provide you with extra detail having its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older SD9 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A550 Specifications
Sigma SD9 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sigma | Sony |
Model | Sigma SD9 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2002-11-26 | 2009-12-09 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 20.7 x 13.8mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 285.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 3 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 2268 x 1512 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Sigma SA | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 76 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 1.8" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 130k dots | 922k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 98 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.77x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Maximum video resolution | None | None |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 950g (2.09 pounds) | 632g (1.39 pounds) |
Dimensions | 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.8 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 480 shots |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash Type I or II | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $3,001 | $749 |