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Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100

Portability
54
Imaging
39
Features
27
Overall
34
Sigma SD9 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Introduced November 2002
  • Later Model is Sigma SD10
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Replaced the Sony a5000
Photography Glossary

Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Sigma and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the SD9 (3MP) and a5100 (24MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The SD9 was launched 12 years prior to the a5100 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD9 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SD9 scores versus the a5100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Sony a5100

 SD9 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sigma SD9

 a5100 SD9 
LaunchedAugust 2014November 2002More modern by 142 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution922k130kSharper display (+792k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sigma SD9 and Sony a5100

 SD9 a5100 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account 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") having a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check out the Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SD9 vs the a5100.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SD9 and a5100 is 54 and 89 respectively.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through specifications. The pic below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD9 and a5100.

Plainly, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony a5100 to render extra detail utilizing its extra 21MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged SD9 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD9 Portrait photography details
Sony a5100 Portrait photography details
47
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
MP count low (3 megapixels)
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Sigma SD9 Street photography advice
Sony a5100 Street photography advice
43
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (950 grams)
low max ISO (400)
82
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
features touch focus
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma SD9
Sports photography with Sony a5100
36
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (3 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
68
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery (400 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD9 Travel photography details
Sony a5100 Travel photography details
29
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (950g)
MP count low (3MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
80
better than average battery (400 shots)
features touch focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD9 Landscape photography features
Sony a5100 Landscape photography features
41
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (3 megapixels)
low max ISO (400)
missing Timelapse recording
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (400 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD9 Vlogging highlights
Sony a5100 Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
34
touchscreen
offers face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone jack
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Sigma SD9 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD9 and Sony a5100
 Sigma SD9Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Manufacturer Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD9 Sony Alpha a5100
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2002-11-26 2014-08-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
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 3 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 2268 x 1512 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 179
Lens
Lens support Sigma SA Sony E
Number of lenses 76 121
Crop factor 1.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 1.8" 3"
Resolution of display 130k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.77x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options - Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 950 grams (2.09 lbs) 283 grams (0.62 lbs)
Dimensions 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1347
Other
Battery life - 400 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media Compact Flash Type I or II SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $3,001 $448