Sigma SD9 SLR Review

The "digital half" of the SD9, the heart of which is a high resolution 1.8-inch, color TFT LCD with 130,000 pixel resolution. It allows for in-field review of captured images with all camera and exposure data plus histogram as well as accessing the camera's menu system.

On the left side of the LCD are the Menu, View, Information, Modify and Delete buttons. Top right are the +/- control buttons for index and magnified playback viewing. The 4-way controller is for navigating menus and selecting images for review. Below are the OK and Cancel buttons.

The SD9 comes with this clear protective LCD cover. It must be removed when you're using the camera as it blocks some of the control buttons.

Looking down on the grip side we see the large monochrome data LCD which lets you know all of the most important camera settings at a glance. The mode selector has positions for "P"rogram AE, "S"hutter speed priority, "A"perture priority and "M"anual. The top knob (S-Dial) is for changing shutter speeds. Around the shutter release is the Command Dial (C-Dial).

The monochrome data LCD displays the shutter speed, aperture, frame counter/ISO sensitivity, sound setting, metering mode, remote, exposure meter, Auto Bracketing, white balance, AF mode, battery condition (both the camera and digital batteries) and image size.

On the top left is the Drive Dial (D-Dial) with positions for Auto Bracketing (AB), Mirror Lock-Up (UP), 2 sec and 10 sec Self timer, Continuous Shooting, Single Frame Shooting and Power Off.

Next to the D-Dial are the Metering, Function and AF Mode buttons. Along the back edge are the Image RESolution and ISO sensitivity buttons.

Along the back edge on the right side are the AE Lock and Exposure Compensation buttons.

The SD9 is equipped with a CompactFlash Type II card slot. It is compatible with any capacity CF Type I or II flash card or IBM Microdrive. The camera does not come with a flash card. Plan on buying a big one because the HI mode files are as big as 8MB, MED mode are 4MB and LOW mode are 2MB each!

The SD9's I/O ports:


IEEE 1394 FireWire

USB 1.1

Video Out with NTSC or PAL format



DC INput for the supplied AC power adapter

(Not shown is the remote port for the optional wired cable release)

The USB 1.1 port is really too slow for efficient transfer of the 6-8MB raw image files. If you don't have FireWire then buy an add-in card or at the very least get yourself a speedy card reader like the USB 2.0 Addonics Pocket UDD.

The SD9 is a hybrid camera that requires two sets of batteries; two CR123A type lithium cells for camera functions and either four AA or two CR-V3 type batteries for the digital functions. As always we recommend the use of high-capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries because they're reusable and will save you money in the long run.

There is an optional SD9 Power Pack / Battery Grip - details are unknown about it as Sigma didn't see fit to send us one and there's no info about it on their site.