Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 vs Sigma sd Quattro H

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H
      51
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      65
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and the Sigma sd Quattro H, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 was introduced in April 2007 and Sigma sd Quattro H was introduced in February 2016. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Highlights

      • 7 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 2.5" 207k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Sigma sd Quattro H Highlights

      • 44.8 MP APS-H CMOS (Foveon X3) Sensor
      • No Optical Low-pass Filter
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 1,620k dot Fixed Screen
      • 2,360k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 3.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1
      4. Advantage of Sigma sd Quattro H
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and Sigma sd Quattro H.

      PROS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 44.8 Megapixel
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 7 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 207k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   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
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.8 fps
      •   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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Weight - 606 g (1.34 lb / 21.38 oz)
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz)

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Panasonic L1
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 over Sigma sd Quattro H.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 vs Sigma sd Quattro H
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 60 sec vs 30 sec
      Built-in Flash vs
      Lighter 606 g (1.34 lb / 21.38 oz) vs 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1.

      Panasonic S5
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Canon 5DS
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Leica TL2
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.6 MP

      Fujifilm X-M1
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Olympus OM-D E-M1 III
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      20.4 MP

      Leica M-E Typ 220
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      18.0 MP

      Sigma SD9
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      3 MP

      Samsung NX3000
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.3 MP

      Olympus E-30
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Nikon Z8
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Panasonic GF1
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-410
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Advantage of Sigma sd Quattro H

      Sigma sd Quattro H
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sigma sd Quattro H over Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 vs Sigma sd Quattro H
      Larger Sensor Micro Four Thirds vs APS-H
      Higher Sensor Resolution 7 Megapixel vs 44.8 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 6,400
      Max Image Resolution 3136 x 2352 vs 6200 x 4152
      More Focus Points 3 vs 9
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 2.5" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 207k dot vs 1,620k dot
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 100%
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.46x vs 0.84x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 3.8 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/180 sec
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) vs USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec)
      HDMI Output vs Mini
      Environmental Sealing vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sigma sd Quattro H.

      Canon N100
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Leica M11 Monochrom
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      Full Frame

      60.3 MP

      Canon A1400
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon D7500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Samsung NX500
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      APS-C

      28.2 MP

      Olympus E-3
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Panasonic GF3
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Panasonic L10
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Panasonic ZS200
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      1-inch

      20.1 MP

      Panasonic GX1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Samsung NX100
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Canon A480
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      1/2.3-inch

      10 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Sigma sd Quattro H
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Sigma sd Quattro H
        No Video Capture
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points39
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.0 fps3.8 fps
        No Built-in Microphone
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has a 2.5" screen with 207k dot resolution and Sigma sd Quattro H has a 3.0" screen with 1,620k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderSigma sd Quattro H has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dot resolution. Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has 95% coverage with 0.92x (0.46x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Sigma sd Quattro H has 100% coverage with 1.09x (0.84x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 features a 7 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600. Sigma sd Quattro H features a 44.8 megapixel APS-H CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 26.6 x 17.9 mm and a total area of 320.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 can take pictures up to 3136 x 2352 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Sigma sd Quattro H is equipped with Dual TRUE III processor and can take pictures up to 6200 x 4152 resolution.


      Lens Mount

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has Four Thirds lens mount and Sigma sd Quattro H has Sigma SA lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor in Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 its crop factor is equal to 2x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2. Due to APS-H sensor in Sigma sd Quattro H its crop factor is equal to 1.3x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.3.


      No Low-Pass Filter on Sigma sd Quattro H

      There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Sigma sd Quattro H. 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 Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sigma sd Quattro H nothing can be done. On Sigma sd Quattro H it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sigma sd Quattro H comes with BP-61 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has a single SD/MMC card slot. Sigma sd Quattro H has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sigma sd Quattro H. Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Sigma sd Quattro H can shoot continuously up to 3.8 fps.


      Focusing

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has 3 focusing points and Sigma sd Quattro H has 9 focusing points. Sigma sd Quattro H has detection range from -1 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Sigma sd Quattro H ranges from 0 to +17 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±2 EV range on Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and ±5 EV range on Sigma sd Quattro H. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sigma sd Quattro H.


      Flash

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Sigma sd Quattro H has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and 1/180 sec on Sigma sd Quattro H.

      Physical Parameters

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 body has dimensions of 146 x 87 x 77 mm (5.75 x 3.43 x 3.03") and Sigma sd Quattro H body has dimensions of 147 x 95 x 91 mm (5.79 x 3.74 x 3.58"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 weighs 606 g (1.34 lb / 21.38 oz) and Sigma sd Quattro H weighs 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz).

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      146 mm

      87 mm

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      147 mm

      95 mm

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      87 mm

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      95 mm

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      77 mm

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      91 mm

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      Size comparisons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and Sigma sd Quattro H

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and Sigma sd Quattro H for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 207k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      80
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 207k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.8 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      POOR
      53
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 207k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.8 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 207k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      79
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      GOOD
      75
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 207k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 606 g (1.34 lb / 21.38 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      GOOD
      78
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 207k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 606 g (1.34 lb / 21.38 oz)
      GOOD
      84
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and Sigma sd Quattro H and give them scores of 51 and 65 out of 100 recpectively. 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.


      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      OVERALL
      51
      OVERALL
      65

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 7 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 44.8 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      POOR
      52
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.8 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 207k dot
      GOOD
      72
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot

      Connectivity

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      POOR
      40
      •   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
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   High USB Speed
      •   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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 606 g (1.34 lb / 21.38 oz)
      GOOD
      79
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz)


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

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