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Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900

Portability
54
Imaging
39
Features
27
Overall
34
Sigma SD9 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
62
Overall
65

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Launched November 2002
  • New Model is Sigma SD10
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • New Model is Sony A99
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Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Sigma SD9 and Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Sigma and Sony. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the SD9 (3MP) and A900 (25MP) and the SD9 (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The SD9 was announced 6 years before the A900 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SD9 scores vs the A900 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Sony A900

 SD9 A900 

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Sigma SD9

 A900 SD9 
LaunchedOctober 2008November 2002More recent by 71 months
Display dimension3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution922k130kCrisper display (+792k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD9 and Sony A900

 SD9 A900 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sigma SD9 provides outside dimensions of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) whilst the Sony A900 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Analyze the Sigma SD9 and Sony A900 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SD9 compared to the A900.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD9 and A900 is 54 and 54 respectively.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over specifications. The graphic underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD9 and A900.

To sum up, the 2 cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SD9 using its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A900 will offer you greater detail with its extra 22 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older SD9 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD9 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A900 as a Portrait photography camera
47
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low MP (3 megapixels)
72
focusing manually
great sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD9 Street photography information
Sony A900 Street photography information
43
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (950g)
low max ISO (400)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma SD9
Sports photography with Sony A900
36
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low MP (3MP)
does not have phase detect AF
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD9 Travel photography information
Sony A900 Travel photography information
29
no Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (950 grams)
low MP (3 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
55
weather sealing
great sensor resolution (25MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD9 Landscape photography information
Sony A900 Landscape photography information
41
manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (1.8 inch)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low MP (3 megapixels)
low max ISO (400)
no Timelapse function
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
no liveview
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD9 Vlogging advice
Sony A900 Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
9
lack of video recording
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Sigma SD9 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD9 and Sony A900
 Sigma SD9Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD9 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2002-11-26 2008-10-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 20.7 x 13.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 285.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 3MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 2268 x 1512 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Sigma SA Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 76 143
Crop factor 1.7 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 1.8" 3"
Resolution of screen 130 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.77x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 950 gr (2.09 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1431
Other
Battery life - 880 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I or II Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots Single 2
Cost at launch $3,001 $2,736