• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 0.98 inch 285.7mm2
  • 4.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600

Buy From

Differences

Canon 50D advantages over Sigma SD15

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 0.98 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 640 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.59x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    15.1 vs 4.7 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    9 vs 5
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.3 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    43 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma SD15 advantages over Canon 50D

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.84 vs 4.99 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 50D

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma SD15
Sigma SD15
All SD15 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Canon 50D
Samsung GX-20
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Samsung GX-20

Sigma SD15
Samsung GX-20
  • $1500
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Olympus E30

Canon 50D
Olympus E30
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon 50D vs Olympus E30

Sigma SD15
Olympus E30
  • $1500
  • 0.98 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Olympus E30

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Canon 50D
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony DSLR-A330

Sigma SD15
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $1500
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Top deck display
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon 50D
Pentax K-7
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Pentax K-7

Sigma SD15
Pentax K-7
  • $1500
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 50D
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony DSLR-A550

Sigma SD15
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1500
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Top deck display
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sigma SD15 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compare Other Cameras?