Sigma DP2 14MP FOVEON CMOS Sensor Digital Camera with 2.5 Inch TFT LCD
- SLR-sized, 14-megapixel Foveon X3 direct image CMOS sensor
- 24.2mm f2.8 standard-range lens (35mm equivalent focal length: 41mm)
- 2.5-inch TFT LCD screen
- Capture images to SD Card/SDHC/Multi Media Card (not included)
Product Description
Every photographer wants to capture the emotion of that crucial moment, and turn it into a fantastic shot. The only cameras designed to do just that, by combining the technology for serious photographic expression with highly-portable compactness, belong to Sigma’s DP series. Meshing neatly with your personal lifestyle and your inner life, the DP2 is designed to take you deeper into a whole new world of photographic expression.The DP2′s 14-megapixel image sensor is SLR-sized. This is about 12 times larger than the 1- to 2.5-inch sensor, and 7 times larger than a 1- to 1.8-inch sensor used in a conventional digital compact. This generous size takes the DP2′s image quality to a different dimension.
Sigma DP2 14MP FOVEON CMOS Sensor Digital Camera with 2.5 Inch TFT LCD
December 16th, 2009 at 8:16 am
It has a great sensor, but other than that, it has a very bad build quality and design flaws. Usually all cameras that have screen at the back, would have something protruding which covers the screen, for example in my canon the screen is cladded by the steel sheet, but in this camera the screen is protruding.
I had the camera in my pocket in the pouch. When I came out of the car, it dropped on the floor while still in the pouch, and the screen broke and the sensor broke and it fell from a height of only a foot and a half.
Very Very bad quality.
Rating: 2 / 5
December 16th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I’ve been shooting with 35mm, 120, and Canon full-frame digital SLR’s for a long time. I’ve never used a Foveon based camera prior to owning this DP2. I can honestly write here that I’m astounded at the image quality coming out of such a tiny box! In fact, I’m so impressed that I’ve made up my mind to pick up Sigma’s SD15 once it becomes available for purchase. The pictures are just that good.
The camera itself is a bit quirky. I won’t go into technical detail here. If you’re after a technical review, check out the DP Review. I will note what I’ve found odd or inconvenient. First, the lens is great – sharp corner to corner with no CA and minimal distortion BUT it’s slow. It’s faster than the DP1′s wider lens, but slow compared to some of the lenses I’m used to working with (50mm F1.2 Canon prime for example). This makes shooting in low-light conditions problematic, especially when it comes to focusing or using low ISO’s to minimize image noise. If you want to shoot in low light, use a tripod.
Another gripe is that the AF system is slow and loud. The loud I don’t mind so much, but its slowness relegates the camera to shooting mostly static subjects. In other words, dynamic street photography (for which this camera’s physical size would be perfect for) can be an exercise in futility. The AF accuracy on the other hand has generally been very good when it does lock on. I haven’t noticed too many OOF pictures, even in low light.
The LCD screen could definitely be improved as well. Manual focus using the screen can be a bit tricky due to its low resolution. On the other hand, it works pretty well outdoors contrary to what some have said, and I find its color and contrast rendition to be pretty decent as far as tiny LCD’s go.
The DP2′s battery life can also be improved. I’ve only shot in raw mode, and as such only manage to get 70 or so captures before the camera tells me to recharge. I think a second battery is definitely a need.
Finally, high ISO performance can still be improved. 50 to 400 ISO are definitely usable. 800 ISO can work depending on conditions. 1600 to 3200 ISO are useless for color photography, but can yield some interesting results when converted to black and white.
Now I’ve mentioned what I thought needs improvement. Here’s what doesn’t: Image Quality. The IQ is stupendous. I haven’t seen this level of color accuracy come out of a digital camera before. Ever. Foveon’s X3 sensor lives up to its claim when it comes to color detail and rendition. The images coming out of this camera are very close to film. If you’ve shot a lot of film before and miss that look, then you should definitely consider trying one of these cameras out. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Below are a few links to sample images I’ve taken with this camera:
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Please stop by my gallery and check out the rest of the pictures. I’ll be sure to add more DP2 images in the weeks to come. Thanks for reading my review and happy shooting!
Rating: 4 / 5
December 16th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
This is a large sensor for a point and shoot camera. The idea is something like DSLR sensor plus point and shoot packaging to yield a camera somewhat like the old rangefinders, Canons and Leicas and all. A camera you’d carry easily and unobtrusively, but with which you can take the fantastic, unposed photo. Alas, this camera has about the slowest autofocus I’ve ever run into. You’re going to miss lots of pictures as a result. Manual focus? Yes, you can, but the screen isn’t sharp enough to do it very well. Maybe with an accessory viewfinder? But then you’re going to a fair amount of trouble to fix up a camera with basic failings.
Probably the biggest competition for this camera are the micro 4/3 DSLRs which are only slightly larger and are available with fixed focal length lenses and accessory viewfinders as well. If you’re going to invest the money in this camera, make sure you try it out in the store! I can’t stress that enough, make sure you can live with the focus speed.
Rating: 4 / 5
December 16th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I wanted to give it 2 stars, but the picture quality is very good indeed. I wanted it to replace my old Nikon D100 when traveling, but DP2 is unusable in many situations. Here are my issues:
1. Very slow focus, impossible to focus in low light, which makes it impossible to photograph people, except for portrait. Presumably one could use manual focus, but they didn’t put much effort to make it usable.
2. The battery runs out very fast. I am planning to buy the viewfinder hoping that it would improve things when I turn off the LCD – I wonder how the focusing will work.
3. The charger doesn’t accept 220V – when traveling through Europe I’d need to lug a transformer as heavy as the camera.
4. To review the pictures one has to take off the lens cap and turn on the camera.
5. The lens cap doesn’t have a lanyard. I am going to lose it.
6. The menus and buttons are not very intuitive.
The battery/charger were the biggest problems during my last trip.
Rating: 3 / 5
December 16th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I purchased the DP2 already knowing its quirks, such as slow AF, low res LCD, desaturation of colors at higher ISO settings, etc…I purchased the camera for three things: the lens, sensor, and manual operation. In all three of these I am very impressed.
I come from using Nikon DSLRs to various Leica bodies. At the moment I shoot with a Leica M8, Dlux 4 and now the Sigma DP2 acts as a backup to my M8 when I need something compact. The images from my M8 shot with lenses like the 28 Summicron, 50 Summilux, 50 Noctilux, and 90 Summicron, are by far the most impressive I have seen coming from any camera, be it digital or film. They are also more film-like than anything I have seen coming from other cameras. If I did not have my Leica gear, I would truly be content with this Sigma as a street shooter in manual zone focusing mode. Just be sure to buy extra batteries!
BTW–for my HD video needs and times when I need AF, the Dlux4 has been a perfect compliment to the DP2. The Dlux4 is an outstanding camera in its own right but its more like a Swiss Army knife, while the DP2 is like a carbon fibre exacto blade, reserved for special needs.
Rating: 4 / 5