Sigma SD1

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    Highlights

    • 15 MP APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) Sensor
    • No Optical Low-pass Filter
    • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
    • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Sigma SD1 was announced in 2010 and is an APS-C (24 x 16 mm) DSLR camera with 15 Megapixel CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor. Its native ISO ranges from [] to []. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Sigma SDx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Sigma SDx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Sigma SD1 Merrill
    Compare
    		April
    2012    		 15 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    460k dot
    Image cannot be found Sigma SD1 September
    2010    		 15 MP
    APS-C    		 [] Fixed 3.0"
    460k dot
    Image cannot be found Sigma SD15
    Compare
    		February
    2010    		 5 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 3.0"
    460k dot
    Image cannot be found Sigma SD14
    Compare
    		September
    2006    		 5 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 800 Fixed 2.5"
    150k dot
    Image cannot be found Sigma SD10
    Compare
    		March
    2004    		 3 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 800 Fixed 1.8"
    130k dot
    Image cannot be found Sigma SD9
    Compare
    		November
    2002    		 3 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 400 Fixed 1.8"
    130k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Sigma SD1 Merrill vs SD1 vs SD15 vs SD14 vs SD10 vs SD9.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Sigma SD1.

    PROS

    •   Built-in Flash
    •   Environmental Sealing

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)

    Successor

    In 2012 Sigma SD1 was replaced by Sigma SD1 Merrill. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Sigma SD1 and its successor.

    DOWNGRADES Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sigma SD1
    Higher Min Shutter Speed [] vs 15 sec
    Built-in Flash vs

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Sigma SD1 vs SD1 Merrill.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Sigma SD1 has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 460k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 96% coverage and 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Sigma SD1 features a 15 megapixel APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 24 x 16 mm and a total area of 384 mm2. Its native ISO range is [].


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Sigma SD1's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C24 x 16 mm384 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with Dual TRUE II processor and can take pictures up to 4800 x 3200 resolution.


    Lens Mount

    Sigma SD1 has Sigma SA lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    No Low-Pass Filter

    There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Sigma SD1.

    Sigma SD10
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    3 MP

    Sigma SD1 Merrill
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    15 MP

    Sigma SD14
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    5 MP

    Sigma SD9
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    3 MP

    Sigma SD15
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    5 MP

    Pentax K-01
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16 MP

    Olympus PEN E-P1
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12 MP

    Canon Rebel T5
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    18.0 MP

    Fujifilm X-S20
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    26.1 MP

    Samsung NX5
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    15 MP

    Sony ZV-E1
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    12.1 MP

    Samsung GX-1L
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    6 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Sigma SD1 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Sigma SD1's shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


    Flash

    Sigma SD1 has a built-in flash and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe.

    Physical Parameters

    Sigma SD1 has dimensions of 146 x 113 x 80 mm (5.75 x 4.45 x 3.15"). It weighs 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    146 mm (5.75")

    113 mm (4.45")

    Image cannot be displayed


    113 mm (4.45")

    Image cannot be displayed

    Sigma SD1 dimensions

    Sigma SD1 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Sigma SD1 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    74

    Sigma SD1 gets a score of 74 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    POOR
    52

    Sigma SD1 gets a score of 52 and is POOR choice for Sports photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    57

    Sigma SD1 gets a score of 57 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Portrait Photography

    AVERAGE
    65

    Sigma SD1 gets a score of 65 and is AVERAGE choice for Portrait photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Live View

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    75

    Sigma SD1 gets a score of 75 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Sigma SD1 gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)

    Sigma SD1 Evaluation

    We evaluate Sigma SD1 and give score of 56 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    56

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Sigma SD1 a score of 65 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel

    Photo

    POOR
    54

    We give Sigma SD1 a score of 54 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Sigma SD1 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    64

    We give Sigma SD1 a score of 64 for Focusing parameters.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   2 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    71

    We give Sigma SD1 a score of 71 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Sigma SD1 a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    77

    We give Sigma SD1 a score of 77 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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