Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 vs Sigma SD9

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9
      51
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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 SD9, 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 SD9 was introduced in November 2002. 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 SD9 Highlights

      • 3 MP APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) Sensor
      • No Optical Low-pass Filter
      • 100 - 400 Native ISO
      • 1.8" 130k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1
      4. Advantage of Sigma SD9
      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 SD9.

      PROS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Live View Autofocus

      CONS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      •   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
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 3 Megapixel
      •   400 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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      •   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
      •   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)

      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 SD9.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 vs Sigma SD9
      Higher Sensor Resolution 7 Megapixel vs 3 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 400
      Max Image Resolution 3136 x 2352 vs 2268 x 1512
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 2.5" vs 1.8"
      Higher Resolution Screen 207k dot vs 130k dot
      Live View vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 60 sec vs 30 sec
      Built-in Flash vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) vs USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
      Lighter 606 g (1.34 lb / 21.38 oz) vs 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
      Orientation Sensor vs

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

      Panasonic S5
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Sigma sd Quattro H
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      APS-H

      44.8 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
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.4 MP

      Leica M-E Typ 220
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      18.0 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
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Panasonic GF1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-410
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Advantage of Sigma SD9

      Sigma SD9
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sigma SD9 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 vs Sigma SD9
      Larger Sensor Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 98%
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.46x vs 0.77x
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/6000 sec
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/180 sec

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sigma SD9.

      Sigma SD14
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      APS-C

      5 MP

      Sigma SD1 Merrill
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Sigma SD15
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      APS-C

      5 MP

      Sigma SD1
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Sigma SD10
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      APS-C

      3 MP

      Leica D-Lux (Typ 109)
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.8 MP

      Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Epson R-D1
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Fujifilm S4500
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      1/2.3-inch

      14.0 MP

      Casio EX-ZR100
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Nikon D100
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon Z30
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      APS-C

      20.9 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.

      WEAKNESSES Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Sigma SD9
        No Video Capture
        Low Resolution Sensor7 Megapixel3 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO1,600400
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen207k dot130k dot
        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

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has a 2.5" screen with 207k dot resolution and Sigma SD9 has a 1.8" screen with 130k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderSigma SD9 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has 95% coverage with 0.92x (0.46x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Sigma SD9 has 98% coverage with 0.77x 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 SD9 features a 3 megapixel APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 20.7 x 13.8 mm and a total area of 190.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 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 SD9 can take pictures up to 2268 x 1512 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 1134 x 756, 756 x 504 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has Four Thirds lens mount and Sigma SD9 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-C sensor in Sigma SD9 its crop factor is equal to 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 on Sigma SD9

      There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Sigma SD9. 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 SD9 nothing can be done. On Sigma SD9 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

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer.


      External Storage Slots

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has a single SD/MMC card slot. Sigma SD9 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, UDMA compatible) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1, and up to 1/6000 sec on Sigma SD9. Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      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 SD9 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and 1/180 sec on Sigma SD9.

      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 SD9 body has dimensions of 152 x 120 x 79 mm (5.98 x 4.72 x 3.11"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 weighs 606 g (1.34 lb / 21.38 oz) and Sigma SD9 weighs 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz).

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      146 mm

      87 mm

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      152 mm

      120 mm

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      87 mm

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      120 mm

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      Size comparisons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and Sigma SD9

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and Sigma SD9 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 SD9

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 207k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      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
      POOR
      52
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View

      Wildlife Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      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
      POOR
      50
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      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
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      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)
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      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)
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   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)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and Sigma SD9 and give both of them the score of 51 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.


      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      OVERALL
      51
      OVERALL
      51

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 7 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   400 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      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
      56
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/6000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

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

      Focusing

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 207k dot
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot

      Connectivity

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      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
      BAD
      33
      •   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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

      Sigma SD9

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 606 g (1.34 lb / 21.38 oz)
      BAD
      36
      •   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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