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Sigma SD9

 
Sigma SD9 front
 
Portability
54
Imaging
39
Features
27
Overall
34

Sigma SD9 summary

Sigma SD9 is Sigma's Advanced DSLR camera originally announced on November of 2002. The camera features a 3MP, CMOS (Foveon X3) APS-C size sensor with a full resolution of 2268 x 1512.

Sigma launched the more recent Sigma SD10 (Read Full Comparison) to replace this camera.

The SD9 is scored #92 out of 92 in Advanced DSLR cameras & overall #982 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our collection. Please try our Smart camera finder to find camera listings based on your personalized factors.

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Below is a diagram of specific factors used in the rating system.

Sigma SD9 family

The Sigma SD9 has a history of related digital cameras. Underneath, you can identify all previous and brand new models along with main specifications.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Sigma-SD1 front thumbnailSigma SD1
SD9 vs SD1
15MPAPS-C5.0 fps2010
Photography Glossary
Sigma-SD15 front thumbnailSigma SD15
SD9 vs SD15
5MPAPS-C3.0 fps2010
Sigma-SD14 front thumbnailSigma SD14
SD9 vs SD14
5MPAPS-C3.0 fps2006
Sigma-SD10 front thumbnailSigma SD10
SD9 vs SD10
3MPAPS-Cn/a fps2004
Sigma-SD9 front thumbnailSigma SD93MPAPS-Cn/a fps2002
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Sigma SD9 Pros and Cons

Here is a list of good and bad points of the Sigma SD9 based on features that are normally regarded as useful in a camera.

delivers RAW formats
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good minimum ISO (100)
doesn't have phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
does not have liveview
does not have selfie friendly display
heavier than average (950g)
lack of video recording
low max ISO (400)
MP count low (3 megapixels)
no external mic port
no HDMI port
no headphone port
no Time Lapse mode
pixelated screen (130 thousand dot)
screen does not articulate
screen is small (1.8")
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Sigma SD9 Sensor features

The size of the sensor on the Sigma SD9 is 20.7mm x 13.8mm (APS-C). The 286 mm² sensor has the capability to capture 2268 x 1512 pixels using aspect ratios of 3:2.

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The CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor has 3 megapixels and includes a native ISO range of 100 to 400. RAW files are supported which means that you have more margin for error.

The image below illustrates the SD9's sensor size compared to other common sizes. The SD9 sensor has a crop factor of 1.7 and is outlined in green.

Sigma SD9 sensor size Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

To get an understanding of different aspect ratios, you can refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Sigma SD9 dimensions

Sigma SD9 weighs around 2.09 lb (950g / 33.51 oz) & the physical size of the camera is 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1"). The weight of average Advanced DSLR camera is 776g and the Sigma SD9 is heavier as compared with various rivals.

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Below is a photo of the Sigma SD9 alongside a soft drink so you're able to get a feel for its size.

Sigma SD9 dimensions scale

The top view below will highlight the button design on the SD9.

Sigma SD9 topview buttons dials

Sigma SD9 Lens features

The SD9 fits the Sigma SA mount and has 77 lenses that you can buy. Here is a few of the lenses we have in our database that will work with the SD9.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Sigma-14mm-F1.8-DG-HSM-Art-Sigma-SA lensSigma 14mm F1.8 DG HSM Art14mmf/1.81170g
Sigma-18-35mm-F1.8-DC-HSM-Sigma-SA lensSigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM18-35mmf/1.8 810g
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Sigma-17-50mm-F2.8-EX-DC-OS-HSM-Sigma-SA lensSigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM17-50mmf/2.8 565g
Sigma-12-24mm-F4-DG-HSM-Art-Sigma-SA lensSigma 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art12-24mmf/41151g
Sigma-105mm-F2.8-EX-DG-OS-HSM-Sigma-SA lensSigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM105mmf/2.8 726g
Sigma-18-200mm-f3.5-6.3-II-DC-OS-HSM-Sigma-SA lensSigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM18-200mmf/3.5-6.3 490g
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Sigma-85mm-F1.4-EX-DG-HSM-Sigma-SA lensSigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM85mmf/1.4 725g
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Sigma SD9 Connectivity

The SD9 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Digital cameras that come with NFC and Bluetooth support are able to be controlled wirelessly with smartphones. You can send pictures and in some cases change settings without the hassle of connecting physically with the camera.

Certain apps also enable a Liveview and release the shutter if you are not close to the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI port, it can easily be hooked up to an external monitor. Many cameras will allow you to charge the battery pack through the USB socket.

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Sigma SD9 Video features

Sigma SD9 doesn't capture video. If you are wanting a camera to shoot just images, it is not an issue.

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Sigma SD9 Weather Sealing

Sigma SD9 does not have environment proofing so wet conditions can easily damage the camera.

Sigma SD9 Display and Viewfinder

The Sigma SD9 features a 1.8 inch fixed display screen having a resolution of 130 thousand dots.

Please note that the display has no touch support.

Sigma SD9 screen and viewfinder Photography Glossary

The ViewFinder specifications for Sigma SD9 are the following:

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

Viewfinders are pretty handy during bright outdoor conditions which will make the camera display washed out and difficult to see.

Sigma SD9 Shutter features

The maximum shutter speed is 1/6000 sec.

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Sigma SD9 Flash and Hot shoe features

Sigma SD9 has external flash support but does not have inbuilt flash. The max flash sync speed is 1/180 sec.

Sigma SD9 Autofocusing features

Sigma SD9 has only Contrast Based Auto Focus & doesn't have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot quicker & accurate as compared with Contrast Based autofocusing.

Sigma SD9 has manual focusing in case it is required during low light situations or you need to have more precise control on focusing.

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Sigma SD9 Battery life

The average Advanced DSLR camera battery life is 909. Nikon D780 has the best (2260) battery life within this class of cameras.

Here is a list of Advanced DSLR cameras which have the best battery life:

ModelVisualizeBattery LifeRAWNFCBluetooth
Nikon-D780 front thumbnailNikon D780
SD9 vs D780
2260 yesnoyes
Nikon-D850 front thumbnailNikon D850
SD9 vs D850
1840 yesyesyes
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Nikon-Df front thumbnailNikon Df
SD9 vs Df
1400 yesnono
Canon-EOS-90D front thumbnailCanon 90D
SD9 vs 90D
1300 yesnoyes
Nikon-D500 front thumbnailNikon D500
SD9 vs D500
1240 yesyesyes

Sigma SD9 for varying forms of photography

The following graph indicates a rundown of the Sigma SD9 for varying forms of photography. To view more, go to the specific paragraph below.

Sigma SD9 Portrait photography factors

The Sigma SD9 has a score of 47 which is moderate, meaning that it is reasonably acceptable for portrait photography. Photographing portraits favors heavily to sensor specs, support for RAW files in addition to the flexibility to use external flash.

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focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (3MP)

Sigma SD9 as a Street photography camera

Having a dreadful points total of 43, the Sigma SD9 is simply not suitable to use in street photography. A good street photography camera features a good balance of image quality and portability.

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decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (950g)
low max ISO (400)

Sigma SD9 Sports photography info

A dreadful sports photography points total of 36 suggests the Sigma SD9 is simply not suitable for photographing sports. A camera needs to have very good tracking and fast continuous shooting for sports photography.

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great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (3 megapixels)
lack of phase detect auto focus

Sigma SD9 Travel photography advice

Portability is extremely important when selecting a travel camera. Overall, the Sigma SD9 gets a dreadful 29 as a travel camera which is simply not suitable for your journeys.

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no Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (950g)
low megapixels (3 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display

Sigma SD9 Landscape photography factors

In case you're planning to purchase a camera for landscape photographs, the most significant aspect will be image quality. The Sigma SD9 with it's dreadful score of 41 for a landscape camera is simply not suitable amongst it's rivals.

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focusing manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (1.8 inch)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (3 megapixels)
max ISO too low (400)
no Timelapse mode

Vlogging with Sigma SD9

A vlogging camera should come with a articulating screen, mic port and preferably IBIS. Taking everything into account, the Sigma SD9 is simply not suitable for vlogging as it comes to a dreadful score of 9.

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no video shooting

Sigma SD9 Alternatives

If you need alternatives to the SD9, here is a number of the top ranked cameras that fall under the category of Advanced DSLR.

The chart followed below shows you a summary of the SD9 compared to it's highest rated rivals shown earlier.

Here are a few more cameras you may look at as alternative options. To see a detailed comparison, just click on the "compare" link.

Photography Glossary

Specifications

General Information
Company
Sigma
Model type
Sigma SD9
Type
Advanced DSLR
Announced
2002-11-26
Body design
Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size
APS-C
Sensor dimensions
20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area
285.7mm²
Sensor resolution
3 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
3:2
Peak resolution
2268 x 1512
RAW photos
Highest native ISO
400
Minimum native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mount type
Sigma SA
Number of lenses
76
Crop factor
1.7
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display diagonal
1.8"
Resolution of display
130 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage
98%
Viewfinder magnification
0.77x
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Minimum shutter speed
30 secs
Fastest shutter speed
1/6000 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance
no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync
1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution
None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
950g (2.09 pounds)
Dimensions
152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1")
Other
Self timer
Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage
Compact Flash Type I or II
Storage slots
One
Retail pricing
$3,001