Sigma SD10

    50
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    Highlights

    • 3 MP APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) Sensor
    • No Optical Low-pass Filter
    • 100 - 800 Native ISO
    • 1.8" 130k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Sigma SD10 was announced in 2004 and is an APS-C (20.7 x 13.8 mm) DSLR camera with 3 Megapixel CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 800 and expands to 100 - 1,600 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 1.8" screen with 130k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Successor
    5. Screen and Viewfinder
    6. Sensor
    7. Photography Features
    8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    9. Other Features
    10. Physical Parameters
    11. For Different Types of Photography
    12. Evaluation
    13. 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
    Compare
    		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 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 SD10.

    PROS

    •   Live View Autofocus

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 3 Megapixel
    •   800 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Small Screen - 1.8"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low USB Speed
    •   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
    •   No Environmental Sealing

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

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/6000 sec
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
    •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Sigma SD10 to its predecessor SD9 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Sigma SD10 vs Sigma SD9
    Higher Native ISO 800 vs 400

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Sigma SD10 vs SD9.

    Successor

    In 2006 Sigma SD10 was replaced by Sigma SD14. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Sigma SD10 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Sigma SD14 vs Sigma SD10
    Higher Sensor Resolution 5 Megapixel vs 3 Megapixel
    Max Image Resolution 2640 x 1760 vs 2268 x 1512
    Larger Screen 2.5" vs 1.8"
    Higher Resolution Screen 150k dot vs 130k dot
    Top LCD Screen vs
    Built-in Flash vs
    Lighter 750 g (1.65 lb / 26.46 oz) vs 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
    DOWNGRADES Sigma SD14 vs Sigma SD10
    Lower Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.60x vs 0.77x
    Lower Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/6000 sec

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Sigma SD10 vs SD14.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Sigma SD10 has a 1.8" Fixed screen with 130k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 98% coverage and 0.77x magnification.

    Sensor

    Sigma SD10 features a 3 megapixel APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 20.7 x 13.8 mm and a total area of 285.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 800 and expands to 100 - 1,600 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Sigma SD10'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-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 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 can take pictures up to 2268 x 1512 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 1134 x 756, 756 x 504 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Sigma SD10 has Sigma SA lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.7x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.7.


    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 SD10.

    Sigma SD1
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    15 MP

    Sigma SD14
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    5 MP

    Sigma SD15
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    5 MP

    Sigma SD1 Merrill
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    15 MP

    Sigma SD9
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    3 MP

    Sony FX3
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    10.2 MP

    Epson R-D1x
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    6 MP

    Leica M Typ 240
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24 MP

    Nikon Z30
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.9 MP

    Samsung NX300
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.3 MP

    Olympus E-600
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12 MP

    Samsung NX200
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Sigma SD10 has a USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, UDMA compatible) card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Sigma SD10's shutter speed can go up to 1/6000 sec.


    Flash

    Sigma SD10 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Sigma SD10 has dimensions of 152 x 120 x 79 mm (5.98 x 4.72 x 3.11"). It weighs 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    152 mm (5.98")

    120 mm (4.72")

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    120 mm (4.72")

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    Sigma SD10 dimensions

    Sigma SD10 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 SD10 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    55

    Sigma SD10 gets a score of 55 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    POOR
    52

    Sigma SD10 gets a score of 52 and is POOR choice for Sports photography.

    •   800 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View

    Wildlife Photography

    POOR
    50

    Sigma SD10 gets a score of 50 and is POOR choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   800 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Portrait Photography

    AVERAGE
    64

    Sigma SD10 gets a score of 64 and is AVERAGE choice for Portrait photography.

    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Small Screen - 1.8"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

    Street Photography

    AVERAGE
    69

    Sigma SD10 gets a score of 69 and is AVERAGE choice for Street photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)

    Travel Photography

    AVERAGE
    68

    Sigma SD10 gets a score of 68 and is AVERAGE choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)

    Sigma SD10 Evaluation

    We evaluate Sigma SD10 and give score of 50 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
    50

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    59

    We give Sigma SD10 a score of 59 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 3 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   800 Highest Native ISO

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    56

    We give Sigma SD10 a score of 56 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/6000 sec
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Sigma SD10 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    67

    We give Sigma SD10 a score of 67 for Focusing parameters.

    •   No Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Sigma SD10 a score of 65 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Small Screen - 1.8"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot

    Connectivity

    BAD
    33

    We give Sigma SD10 a score of 33 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   Low USB Speed
    •   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

    BAD
    36

    We give Sigma SD10 a score of 36 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)


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

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