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Sigma SD10

 
Sigma SD10 front
 
Portability
54
Imaging
39
Features
27
Overall
34

Sigma SD10 overview

Sigma SD10 is Sigma's Advanced DSLR camera initially announced on March of 2004. The camera features a 3MP, CMOS (Foveon X3) APS-C size sensor with a maximum resolution of 2268 x 1512.

Sigma brought out this camera as a way to improve the older Sigma SD9 (Read Full Comparison) & afterwards launched the newer Sigma SD14 (Read Full Comparison) to improve this model.

The SD10 stands at #91 out of 92 in Advanced DSLR cameras & all-around #981 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. Remember to check out our Advanced camera filter to find camera results based on your customized criteria.

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The following is a diagram of specific criteria used in the scoring system.

Sigma SD10 family

The Sigma SD10 has a history of related cameras. Below, you can find all past and newer models as well as main specs.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Sigma-SD1 front thumbnailSigma SD1
SD10 vs SD1
15MPAPS-C5.0 fps2010
Photography Glossary
Sigma-SD15 front thumbnailSigma SD15
SD10 vs SD15
5MPAPS-C3.0 fps2010
Sigma-SD14 front thumbnailSigma SD14
SD10 vs SD14
5MPAPS-C3.0 fps2006
Sigma-SD10 front thumbnailSigma SD103MPAPS-Cn/a fps2004
Sigma-SD9 front thumbnailSigma SD9
SD10 vs SD9
3MPAPS-Cn/a fps2002
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Sigma SD10 Pros and Cons

Here is a collection of benefits and drawbacks of the Sigma SD10 based on features which are often viewed as useful in a camera.

focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
saves RAW files
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good min ISO (100)
can't record video
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
heavier than others in class (950 grams)
low max ISO (800)
low MP (3MP)
missing external mic port
missing HDMI port
missing headphone port
missing Time Lapse recording
no liveview feature
pixelated screen (130 k dot)
screen does not articulate
small screen (1.8 inches)
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Sigma SD10 Sensor specs

The spec of the sensor on the Sigma SD10 is 20.7mm x 13.8mm (APS-C). The 286 mm² sensor can resolve 2268 x 1512 pixels using aspect ratios of 3:2.

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The CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor has 3MP and includes a native ISO range of 100 to 800. The ISO can be expanded electronically to a maximum of 1600. RAW format is supported therefore the user has more room to maneuver in post.

The graphic underneath shows the SD10's sensor size in comparison to other common sizes. The SD10 sensor has a crop factor of 1.7 and is showcased in green.

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To get an idea of various aspect ratios, you can refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Sigma SD10 dimensions

Sigma SD10 weighs around 2.09 pounds (950 grams or 33.51 oz) & the dimensions of the camera is 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1"). The weight of normal Advanced DSLR camera is 776 grams and the Sigma SD10 is weightier as compared to its competitors.

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Down below is a picture of the Sigma SD10 next to a soft drink to help you to get a sense of its size.

Sigma SD10 dimensions scale

The top view under will provide the button arrangement on the SD10.

Sigma SD10 topview buttons dials

Sigma SD10 Lens details

The SD10 uses the Sigma SA mount and has 77 lenses that are available. Here is a small number of the lenses we have in our collection that will work with the SD10.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Sigma-14-24mm-F2.8-DG-HSM-Art-Sigma-SA lensSigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art14-24mmf/2.81150g
Sigma-18-200mm-F3.5-6.3-DC-Macro-OS-HSM-C-Sigma-SA lensSigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM C18-200mmf/3.5-6.3 430g
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Sigma-120-400mm-F4.5-5.6-DG-OS-HSM-Sigma-SA lensSigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM120-400mmf/4.5-5.6 1640g
Sigma-500mm-F4-DG-OS-HSM-Sport-Sigma-SA lensSigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport500mmf/4 3310g
Sigma-4.5mm-F2.8-EX-DC-HSM-Circular-Fisheye-Sigma-SA lensSigma 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC HSM Circular Fisheye5mmf/2.8 470g
Sigma-12-24mm-F4-DG-HSM-Art-Sigma-SA lensSigma 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art12-24mmf/41151g
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Sigma-300-800mm-F5.6-EX-DG-HSM-Sigma-SA lensSigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM300-800mmf/5.6 5880g
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Sigma SD10 Connectivity

The SD10 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Cameras that contain NFC or Bluetooth connectivity can be controlled wirelessly through smartphones. You are able to copy pictures and sometimes change camera settings with no need to connect directly with the camera.

Some apps also enable a Liveview and click the shutter when you aren't near the camera. If the camera includes a HDMI port, it can be connected to an external screen. Virtually all cameras enable you to recharge the battery with the USB socket.

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Sigma SD10 Video details

Sigma SD10 does not record video. If you are shopping for a camera to shoot just images, it is not a problem.

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Sigma SD10 Weather Sealing

There is no weather sealing for the Sigma SD10 so you have to be cautious in wet and dusty conditions.

Sigma SD10 Display and Viewfinder

The Sigma SD10 features a 1.8" fixed display screen having a resolution of 130k dots.

Sadly the display screen is not a touch screen.

Sigma SD10 screen and viewfinder Photography Glossary

The ViewFinder specs for Sigma SD10 are below:

  • ViewFinder Optical (pentaprism)
  • Coverage 98 percent
  • Magnification 0.77x

Viewfinders are really handy during sunny outdoor conditions which will make the camera display washed out and very difficult to see.

Sigma SD10 Shutter details

The max shutter speed is 1/6000 seconds.

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Sigma SD10 Flash and Hot shoe details

Sigma SD10 comes with external flash ability but is without built in flash. The highest flash sync is 1/180 seconds.

Sigma SD10 Autofocusing details

Sigma SD10 comes with only Contrast Detect Autofocus & does not have Phase Detect Autofocus. Phase Detection focusing is more quicker and exact as compared to Contrast Detect focusing.

Sigma SD10 has got manual focus if required during low light scenarios or you want to have more precise focus control.

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Sigma SD10 Battery life

The general Advanced DSLR camera battery life is 909. Nikon D780 comes with the highest possible (2260) battery life within this range of cameras.

Below is a list of Advanced DSLR cameras having the strongest battery life:

ModelVisualizeBattery LifeRAWNFCBluetooth
Nikon-D850 front thumbnailNikon D850
SD10 vs D850
1840 yesyesyes
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Nikon-Df front thumbnailNikon Df
SD10 vs Df
1400 yesnono
Canon-EOS-90D front thumbnailCanon 90D
SD10 vs 90D
1300 yesnoyes
Nikon-D500 front thumbnailNikon D500
SD10 vs D500
1240 yesyesyes

Sigma SD10 for varying types of photography

The following chart presents a overview of the Sigma SD10 for varying types of photography. To understand more, go to the specific paragraph underneath.

Sigma SD10 Portrait photography advice

The Sigma SD10 has a rating of 47 which is reasonable, and means the camera is reasonably acceptable for portrait photography. Photographing portrait photos leans greatly towards sensor specs, support for RAW photos & option to use external flash.

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manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (3MP)

Sigma SD10 Street photography highlights

Getting a bad points total of 43, the Sigma SD10 is just not acceptable to buy for street photography. A decent street photography camera features a perfect balance of image quality and portability.

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nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (950g)
maximum ISO low (800)

Sigma SD10 Sports photography features

A bad sports photography points tally of 36 indicates the Sigma SD10 is just not acceptable for taking pictures of sports. A camera needs to have fantastic tracking plus continuous shooting for sports photography.

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maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (3 megapixels)
lacks phase detect AF

Sigma SD10 Travel photography features

Portability is extremely important in selecting a travel camera. Overall, the Sigma SD10 gets a bad 29 for a travelling camera which makes it just not acceptable to purchase for your vacations.

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missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (950 grams)
low megapixels (3MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly

Sigma SD10 Landscape photography information

When you're looking to pick a camera for landscape photography, the biggest aspect is going to be image quality. The Sigma SD10 and it's bad score of 41 as a landscape camera is just not acceptable amongst its rivals.

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manual focus
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (3MP)
low maximum ISO (800)
doesn't have Timelapse mode

Sigma SD10 as a Vlogging camera

A vlogging camera really should offer a moving display screen, mic input and ideally image stabilization. Taking all things in to account, the Sigma SD10 is just not acceptable for vlogging as it gets a bad rating of 9.

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can't record video

Sigma SD10 Alternatives

If you are in the market for alternatives to the SD10, below is a number of the highest ranked cameras that fall in to the category of Advanced DSLR.

The diagram underneath will give you an overview of the SD10 vs it's highest ranking competitors listed earlier.

These are various other cameras you may take into account as alternative options. To look at a complete comparison, visit the "compare" link.

Photography Glossary

Specifications

General Information
Company
Sigma
Model
Sigma SD10
Class
Advanced DSLR
Revealed
2004-03-19
Body design
Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size
APS-C
Sensor dimensions
20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor surface area
285.7mm²
Sensor resolution
3 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
3:2
Maximum resolution
2268 x 1512
RAW images
Maximum native ISO
800
Maximum boosted ISO
1600
Minimum native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Lens
Lens mount
Sigma SA
Number of lenses
76
Focal length multiplier
1.7
Screen
Range of display
Fixed Type
Display size
1.8 inches
Resolution of display
130k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage
98 percent
Viewfinder magnification
0.77x
DXO scores
DXO All around score
not tested
DXO Color Depth score
not tested
DXO Dynamic range score
not tested
DXO Low light score
not tested
Features
Slowest shutter speed
30s
Maximum shutter speed
1/6000s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range
no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync
1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution
None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
950 gr (2.09 lbs)
Dimensions
152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1")
Other
Self timer
Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage
Compact Flash Type I or II
Storage slots
One
Pricing at launch
$198