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Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950

Portability
54
Imaging
38
Features
27
Overall
33
Sigma SD9 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Released November 2002
  • Replacement is Sigma SD10
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950 Overview

Below is a thorough overview of the Sigma SD9 versus Sony S950, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Sigma and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SD9 (3MP) and S950 (10MP) and the SD9 (APS-C) and S950 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The SD9 was released 7 years earlier than the S950 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Sigma SD9 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SD9 grades vs the S950 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Sony S950

 SD9 S950 

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Sigma SD9

 S950 SD9 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009November 2002More recent by 75 months
Display dimension2.7"1.8"Larger display (+0.9")
Display resolution230k130kSharper display (+100k dot)

Common features in the Sigma SD9 and Sony S950

 SD9 S950 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Sigma SD9 enjoys external measurements of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") along with a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) and the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma SD9 versus Sony S950 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SD9 and the S950.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD9 and S950 is 54 and 94 respectively.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The photograph below might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD9 and S950.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SD9 because of its larger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Sony S950 will show extra detail as a result of its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The older SD9 will be behind in sensor tech.

Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD9 Portrait photography features
Sony S950 Portrait photography features
46
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (3MP)
26
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma SD9
Street photography with Sony S950
43
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (950g)
low max ISO (400)
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD9 Sports photography details
Sony S950 Sports photography details
35
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (3 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma SD9 Travel photography features
Sony S950 Travel photography features
29
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (950 grams)
sensor resolution low (3 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
50
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD9 Landscape photography details
Sony S950 Landscape photography details
40
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (3 megapixels)
low max ISO (400)
does not have Time Lapse function
31
focusing manually
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD9 Vlogging details
Sony S950 Vlogging details
9
no video shooting
9
lack of video recording
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Sigma SD9 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD9 and Sony S950
 Sigma SD9Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma SD9 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2002-11-26 2009-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 20.7 x 13.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 285.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 3 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2268 x 1512 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Number of lenses 76 -
Crop factor 1.7 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 1.8" 2.7"
Screen resolution 130 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.77x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Video format - Motion JPEG
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 950g (2.09 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash Type I or II Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $3,001 $130