The present invention is directed to a programmable loop filter, a method of programming the same and a sigma delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC) incorporating the programmable loop filter or the method. In one embodiment, the programmable loop filter includes: (1) a configurable filter structure containing selectably interconnectable alternative filter elements and (2) a configuration controller coupled to the configurable filter structure and operable to interconnect at least a selected one of the filter elements to determine a transfer characteristic of the configurable filter structure and set an operating condition of the sigma delta ADC.