Sigma SD9 vs Sony RX1
54 Imaging
38 Features
27 Overall
33


79 Imaging
69 Features
57 Overall
64
Sigma SD9 vs Sony RX1 Key Specs
(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
- Launched November 2002
- Renewed by Sigma SD10
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
- 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
- Introduced February 2013

Sigma SD9 vs Sony RX1 Overview
Below is a extended comparison of the Sigma SD9 vs Sony RX1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the SD9 (3MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the SD9 (APS-C) and RX1 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

The SD9 was announced 11 years before the RX1 and that is a fairly large 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 RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SD9 scores versus the RX1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony RX1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sigma SD9 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1. The whole galleries are available at Sigma SD9 Gallery & Sony RX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Sony RX1
SD9 | RX1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Sigma SD9
RX1 | SD9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2013 | ![]() | November 2002 | More recent by 124 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 1.8" | Bigger screen (+1.2") |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 130k | Crisper screen (+1099k dot) |
Common features in the Sigma SD9 and Sony RX1
SD9 | RX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Sigma SD9 vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD9 enjoys external dimensions of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") having a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) while the Sony RX1 has measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).
Look at the Sigma SD9 vs Sony RX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SD9 versus the RX1.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SD9 and RX1 is 54 and 79 respectively.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by going through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD9 and RX1.
As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SD9 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony RX1 will show more detail with its extra 21 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older SD9 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD9 vs Sony RX1 Specifications
Sigma SD9 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Sigma | Sony |
Model | Sigma SD9 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Large Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2002-11-26 | 2013-02-19 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
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 | 3 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti aliasing 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 pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Sigma SA | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 35mm (1x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/2.0-22.0 |
Total lenses | 76 | - |
Crop factor | 1.7 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 1.8 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 130k dot | 1,229k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | Xtra FineTFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic and Optical (optional) |
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 | - | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 6.00 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 950 gr (2.09 lbs) | 482 gr (1.06 lbs) |
Dimensions | 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") | 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 93 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 25.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 14.3 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 2534 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 270 photographs |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash Type I or II | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $3,001 | $2,798 |