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Sigma inexplicably releases a minimally changed DP1s

Devin Coldewey — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:30:41 +0000

Pop quiz, hot shot: you release a product to tepid critical response. Despite having a good concept behind it, it’s slow, limited, and performs badly in low light. After a year and a half, you release its sequel, which is better but still not really that good. What do you do?

A) Forget this approach, try something new like Micro Four-Thirds
B) Get a decent lens on that thing and improve responsiveness
C) Tell her that you want her love
D) Release a new version of the old product with such changes as it would take an expert in these things to see the difference. Delude yourself into thinking these minor shortcomings were the reason your product was received so poorly.

If you chose D, you’re Sigma!

Seriously, the DP1 was never a great camera, and the DP2 was a minor update. And now they come out with this DP1s? It’s like Microsoft coming out with Vista (plus DirectX 11) after Windows 7 comes out. What an utterly inexplicable move this is!

[via Photo Rumors]

Panasonic’s micro four-thirds DMC-GF1 spotted in leaked picture (updated)

Devin Coldewey — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:20:51 +0000

Update: It should be mentioned that the facts and figures in this post should be taken more as rumor than confirmed. Sure, the GF1 exists and probably is a lot like what we have here, but some of the specs are definitely not right, though we won’t have the correct information for a little bit longer. Rest assured, we’ll have that info as soon as it is available (maybe just a little before) and a full review as well. Maybe on or around September 1st?

You probably remember the G1 and GH1, Panasonic’s well-received contributions to the micro four-thirds photography world. The GH1 was respected for its HD recording capability, although the “micro” aspect of the camera was somewhat lessened by the enormous kit lens. The GF1, leaked in a PDF and captured at Chinese forum Xitek, appears to be the result of an unholy union between the GH1 and the LX3K. The body, in fact, is so similar that we might as well call it the same one. But while the D-Lux had a fixed lens, the GF1 obviously employs an exchangeable system and a M4/3 sensor. I call it hot.

This really looks interesting. I know John loved the LX3K’s Leica cousin, and the GH1 has been well-reviewed, but will this combo have hybrid vigor or the opposite? I can’t rightly say, since efforts to put a large sensor in such a small body (Sigma’s DP1 and DP2) have been troubled, to say the least. I hope Panasonic can pull it off, though, because with a little lens like the one pictured, that’d be a fantastic walk-around camera.

Update: I should have noted some salient specs. 12.1 megapixels, 460,000-dot 3″ LCD, video seems to be at 30FPS but that could certainly change.

[via DPReview forums]

CrunchDeals: Sigma DP1 for $399

Doug Aamoth — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Amazon has the Sigma DP1 on sale for $399, today only. The DP1 is unique in that it’s got an SLR-sized sensor stuffed in a point and shoot-sized body. Other features include 14-megapixel photos, a 2.5-inch LCD, JPEG and RAW image recording, and SD(HC)/MMC card compatibility.

Here’s more from the product description:

The DP1 is a completely new type of camera offering the full specs and high image quality of a DSLR in the body of a compact camera. It is powered by the 14-megapixel Foveon X3 direct-image-sensor, which can reproduce high-definition images rich in gradation and impressive three-dimensional detail. It is possible to record images in RAW or the widely used JPEG in four resolution modes. It offers five Exposure modes and three Metering modes as well as being equipped with a built-in flash with the Guide Number of 6, hot shoe, neck strap and 2.5-inch TFT color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 pixels. The DP1 has the high resolution and functionality of an SLR, plus adaptability in terms of accessories, all built into a small body.

And you can check out our previous coverage of the DP1 right here. The camera normally sells for well over $500, so $399 seems like a pretty good deal.

Sigma DP1 [Amazon.com]

Sigma’s DP2 approaches release; pics and specs updated

Devin Coldewey — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:05:31 +0000

We’ve been aware of the DP2 for some time, and although its predecessor was coolly received, I’m excited about this one. Everyone agreed that the DP1 was a technical accomplishment, but its actual performance was lacking. AF, shutter lag, speed in general was an issue, poor low light performance — the list goes on, even more so than I remember. But if Sigma has made the changes that need to happen, this could be a very impressive camera.

Sigma DP2 (PMA 2009)

But the more I look at the specs, the more it looks the same. It uses a similar sensor (after buying out Foveon they may have appropriated some of their improved tech), a similar fixed lens (though significantly faster — f/2.8 vs. f/4), and the body looks almost completely unchanged. The button configuration has been switched around somewhat, but that’s about it, and the LCD screen (which was reviled in reviews) doesn’t seem to have changed either. You can focus a little closer (11 inches) but that’s not saying much.

I’m really hoping this camera turns out to be a better piece of kit than the DP1, but unless a lot of the changes are unadvertised, I don’t think it’ll be surpassing it by much. Still, we’ll do what we can to review it and cover what the rest of the world says about this interesting camera.

[via Imaging Resource]

Sigma buys out sensor maker Foveon

Devin Coldewey — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:40:33 +0000

Sigma has been using Foveon sensors in its cameras for a couple years now, although some questioned the efficacy of said sensor in their ambitious but disappointing DP1. (Good explanation of the Foveon sensor here). Apparently, though, Sigma is confident enough in the technology that they’re willing to buy Foveon lock, stock, and barrel. Maybe they know something we don’t.

What does this mean for you? Well, it means that they’re going to keep on plugging away with their current strategy, and hopefully the DP2 will be a real player. I was rooting for them; it must be difficult to be a third party in the DSLR business. Nobody knows when the DP2 is due, but I’m looking forward to it.

Sigma unveils new compact camera, the DP2

Serkan Toto — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:43:30 +0000

Sigma Japan today unveiled the Sigma DP2 [JP], the successor model to the DP1, which was released earlier this year and received lukewarm reviews. As of now, there is no word of the new camera on Sigma’s American web site.

The Sigma DP2 features a 3-layer 14 megapixel Foveon X3 sensor (2,652×1,768) with an updated True (”Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine”) image processor to enhance image quality and boost processing speed.

Sigma also equipped the DP2 with a new 24.2mm F2.8 lens (equivalent to 41mm on a 35mm SLR camera). The camera comes with a 2.5-inch LCD display and is sized at 113.3×54.6×59.5mm (4.3mm thinner than the DP1).

Sigma will present the camera to the general public during the Photokina 2008, a trade show that starts today in Cologne/Germany. There is no word yet from the company regarding price or release date (not even for the Japanese market).

The Sigma DP1 is a technical marvel, but that’s about it

Nicholas Deleon — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:27:13 +0000

One month and change after DP Review gave the Sigma DP1 a so-so review, David Pogue now offers his two cents. Like DP Review, Pogue likes the SLR-in-a-point-and-shoot’s body, but says it’s not the end-all, be-all for the concept.

The Sigma DP1, in case you don’t remember, essentially puts an SLR sensor inside a point-and-shoot’s body, to mixed results.

While Pogue admits that the camera is a technical marvel, it doesn’t deliver as well as we might like. The lens doesn’t zoom; it’s too slow for proper action shots; the RAW files don’t work with PhotoShop; there’s no viewfinder, and the LCD washes out easily; and there’s no lens cap, for Pete’s sake.

Best advice: tread lightly with this one.

Sigma’s DP1 hits: hybrid point-and-shoot/DSLR ruled interesting but lacking

Devin Coldewey — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:03:09 +0000

DPReview has one of their signature extremely long and in-depth reviews that I love up for the Sigma DP1. I remember hearing about this thing some time ago, but apparently technical issues kept it from release until just recently. Well, now it’s been thoroughly evaluated, and the verdict is: great idea, but lacking polish and adequate image quality in many circumstances.

The thing about the DP1 is that it has a big ol’ DSLR-sized sensor and a lot of the benefits that come with it (increased resolution, better image quality, RAW capture), but keeps the small form factor of the point-and-shoot. However, it lacks many of the consumer-friendly features of modern point-and-shoots, and has only a (serviceable, but still) 28mm prime lens, which limits one’s framing options somewhat. DPReview found that in good conditions it was fantastic, but in low light and action it was a poor performer. There’s more (lots more) in the review.