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Sigma SD15

 
Sigma SD15 front
 
Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44

Sigma SD15 overview

Sigma SD15 is Sigma's Advanced DSLR digital camera first released on February of 2010. The camera has got a 5MP, CMOS (Foveon X3) APS-C size sensor with a maximum resolution of 2640 x 1760.

Sigma released this model in order to improve the previous Sigma SD14 (Read Full Comparison)

The SD15 is scored #66 out of 92 in Advanced DSLR cameras & all-around #560 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. Remember to test our Smart camera finder to see camera rankings based on your personal factors.

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

Sigma SD15 history

The Sigma SD15 is part of a family of digital cameras. You can read the detailed list below.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Sigma-SD1 front thumbnailSigma SD1
SD15 vs SD1
15MPAPS-C5.0 fps2010
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Sigma-SD15 front thumbnailSigma SD155MPAPS-C3.0 fps2010
Sigma-SD14 front thumbnailSigma SD14
SD15 vs SD14
5MPAPS-C3.0 fps2006
Sigma-SD10 front thumbnailSigma SD10
SD15 vs SD10
3MPAPS-Cn/a fps2004
Sigma-SD9 front thumbnailSigma SD9
SD15 vs SD9
3MPAPS-Cn/a fps2002
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sigma SD15 Pros and Cons

Here is a shortlist of good and bad points of the Sigma SD15 based on criterias that are usually viewed as essential in a digital camera.

change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does have HDMI port
focusing manually
has built in flash
has Top screen
saves RAW formats
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good min ISO (100)
doesn't have external mic port
doesn't have headphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (5MP)
no articulating screen
no liveview feature
no video shooting
screen has low resolution (460 thousand dot)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
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Sigma SD15 Sensor features

The Sigma SD15 features the True II processor. The size of the sensor in the Sigma SD15 is 20.7mm x 13.8mm (APS-C). The 286 mm² sensor has the capability to resolve 2640 x 1760 pixels using aspect ratios of 3:2.

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The CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor has 5MP and provides a standard ISO range of 100 - 1600. The ISO can be widened digitally to 50 - 3200. RAW files are supported so you have more margin for error.

The image below illustrates the SD15's sensor size when compared to other popular sizes. The SD15 sensor has a crop factor of 1.7 and is highlighted in green.

Sigma SD15 sensor size Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

To get a sense of different aspect ratios, you can refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Sigma SD15 dimensions

Sigma SD15 has a weight of 1.65 lb (750 gr / 26.46 ounces) & the dimensions of the camera is 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2"). The weight of normal Advanced DSLR camera is 776 gr so the Sigma SD15 is on par in comparison with other competitors.

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Listed below is a photo of the Sigma SD15 beside a soda so you're able to get a feel for its size.

Sigma SD15 dimensions scale

The top view directly below will show the button design on the SD15.

Sigma SD15 topview buttons dials

Sigma SD15 Lens features

The SD15 uses the Sigma SA mount and has 77 lenses available on the market. Here is a small number of the lenses we have in our database that will work with the SD15.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Sigma-18-200mm-F3.5-6.3-DC-Sigma-SA lensSigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC18-200mmf/3.5-6.3 405g
Sigma-20mm-F1.8-EX-DG-Aspherical-RF-Sigma-SA lensSigma 20mm F1.8 EX DG Aspherical RF20mmf/1.8 520g
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Sigma-20mm-F1.4-DG-HSM-A-Sigma-SA-Bayonet lensSigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM A20mmf/1.4 950g
Sigma-12-24mm-F4.5-5.6-II-DG-HSM-Sigma-SA lensSigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 II DG HSM12-24mmf/4.5-5.6 670g
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-28mm-F1.4-DG-HSM-A-Sigma-SA lensSigma 28mm F1.4 DG HSM A28mmf/1.40g
Photography Glossary
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 SD15 Connectivity

The SD15 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Cameras that consist of NFC and Bluetooth connectivity are able to be controlled wirelessly through smartphones. You are able to copy images and in some cases alter settings with no need to connect physically with the camera.

A few apps also allow a Liveview and click the shutter whenever you aren't close to the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI port, it can easily be attached to an external screen. Virtually all cameras will allow you to charge the battery with the USB port.

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Sigma SD15 Video features

Sigma SD15 doesn't capture video. In case you are wanting a digital camera to shoot just images, it might not be an issue.

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Sigma SD15 Weather Sealing

There is no weather proofing on the Sigma SD15 so you have to be cautious in rainy or dusty conditions.

Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder

The Sigma SD15 has got a 3 inch fixed display screen having a resolution of 460 thousand dots.

Unfortunately the display screen isn't a touch screen. The SD15 also includes a Top screen so it’s possible to quickly look at the camera's settings.

Sigma SD15 screen and viewfinder Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The ViewFinder details for Sigma SD15 are the following:

  • ViewFinder Optical (pentaprism)
  • Coverage 96%
  • Magnification 0.6x

Viewfinders can be rather beneficial during bright outdoor conditions which can easily make the camera screen washed out and very difficult to see.

Sigma SD15 Shutter features

Sigma SD15 continuous shooting speed is 3.0 frames/s. The highest shutter speed is 1/4000 seconds.

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Sigma SD15 Flash and Hot shoe features

Sigma SD15 features both built-in flash along with external flash ability. The max flash sync speed is 1/180 seconds.

Sigma SD15 Autofocusing features

Sigma SD15 features both Phase Detect Auto Focus plus Contrast Based Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot more faster & accurate as compared to Contrast Based autofocusing.

Sigma SD15 supports manual focusing in case it is needed during low light scenarios or you want to have more precise focusing control.

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Sigma SD15 Battery life

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

Underneath is a list of Advanced DSLR cameras that come with the best battery life:

ModelVisualizeBattery LifeRAWNFCBluetooth
Nikon-D850 front thumbnailNikon D850
SD15 vs D850
1840 yesyesyes
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Nikon-Df front thumbnailNikon Df
SD15 vs Df
1400 yesnono
Canon-EOS-90D front thumbnailCanon 90D
SD15 vs 90D
1300 yesnoyes
Nikon-D500 front thumbnailNikon D500
SD15 vs D500
1240 yesyesyes

Sigma SD15 for varying kinds of photography

The following bar chart indicates a summation of the Sigma SD15 for varying kinds of photography. To understand more, visit the specific paragraph below.

Sigma SD15 as a Portrait photography camera

The Sigma SD15 gets a points total of 50 which is reasonable, meaning that it is fairly suitable for portrait images. Taking portrait images favors heavily to sensor size, support for RAW files along with the option to work with off-camera flash.

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manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low MP (5MP)

Sigma SD15 as a Street photography camera

Having a modest rating of 52, the Sigma SD15 is reasonably suitable to use in street photography. A good street photography camera has a good balance of picture quality plus portability.

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sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization

Sigma SD15 as a Sports photography camera

A subpar sports photography points tally of 38 means the Sigma SD15 is simply not very good for taking photos of sports. A camera needs to have good autofocus and shutter speeds for sports photography.

Photography Glossary
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (5MP)

Sigma SD15 Travel photography factors

Weight is pretty important when selecting a travel camera. All round, the Sigma SD15 gets a subpar 42 as a travelling camera which is simply not very good to take with you on your holidays.

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built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low MP (5MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly

Sigma SD15 Landscape photography details

For anybody looking to pick a digital camera for landscape photography, the biggest factor will be image quality. The Sigma SD15 with it's decent score of 51 as a landscape camera is relatively adequate in the current marketplace.

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manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording

Sigma SD15 Vlogging features

A vlogging camera should offer a moving screen, mic input and if possible IBIS. Considering all the details, the Sigma SD15 is simply not very good for vlogging as it gets a subpar rating of 9.

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no video recording

Sigma SD15 Alternatives

If you are looking for alternatives to the SD15, below is a number of the highest ranked cameras that fall in to the class of Advanced DSLR.

The line chart followed below gives you a summary of the SD15 compared to it's highest scored competitors listed previously.

These are various other cameras you may view as alternatives. To look at a complete comparison, visit the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Make
Sigma
Model type
Sigma SD15
Category
Advanced DSLR
Released
2010-02-20
Body design
Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS (Foveon X3)
Powered by
True II
Sensor size
APS-C
Sensor dimensions
20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area
285.7mm²
Sensor resolution
5 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
3:2
Highest resolution
2640 x 1760
RAW support
Highest native ISO
1600
Highest boosted ISO
3200
Minimum native ISO
100
Minimum boosted ISO
50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens support
Sigma SA
Number of lenses
76
Focal length multiplier
1.7
Screen
Screen type
Fixed Type
Screen diagonal
3 inch
Resolution of screen
460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage
96%
Viewfinder magnification
0.6x
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Slowest shutter speed
30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed
1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed
3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync
1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution
None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
750 grams (1.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions
144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2")
Other
Self timer
Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage
SD/SDHC card
Storage slots
One
Launch pricing
$1,500