• 0.98 inch 285.7mm2
  • 4.6 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Sigma DP1 advantages over Canon 50D

  • Less expensive
    $999 vs $1399 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.84 vs 4.99 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    50 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    278g vs 822g
    Lighter weight

Canon 50D advantages over Sigma DP1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 0.98 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 3.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 640 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 1.53 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    15.1 vs 4.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.3 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    43 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sigma DP1
Pentax K20D
  • $999
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma DP1 vs Pentax K20D

Canon 50D
Pentax K20D
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Pentax K20D

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Sigma DP1
Samsung GX-20
  • $999
  • 0.98 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 vs 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

Compared to Pentax K-7

Sigma DP1
Pentax K-7
  • $999
  • 0.98 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 vs 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

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sigma DP1
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $999
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 vs 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

Compared to Canon T2i

Sigma DP1
Canon T2i
  • $999
  • 0.98 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma DP1 vs Canon T2i

Canon 50D
Canon T2i
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 50D vs Canon T2i

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