« [ STUFF HAPPENS ] | Main | [PHOTOGRAPHING DEATH AND YOUTH] »
May 29, 2008
[REVIEW—SIGMA DP1 compact camera]
Price: $1100
Sad camera, magnificent pictures
The low-down: This is a unique compact camera – it has a large sensor straight from the Sigma DSLR. The sensor, of the Foveon type, is only used by Sigma and Polaroid. (For a technical description see the Wikipedia entry: tinyurl.com/tqlyj) The camera has a retro look with very few user controls accessible from buttons on the body. The fixed focal length 28mm (film equivalent) lens can be focussed automatically or from a wheel on the camera body. The fixed wide angle lens rules out frame-filling portraits and the digital zoom is best left alone. There is no macro setting. The optical viewfinder shown in the illustration is a $190 option. The LCD is 6.4cm and performs poorly in sunlight and dim lighting, where it turns monochrome.
Like: The picture quality is without peer amongst compact cameras. The larger sensor produces images comparable with those from DSLRs. Superb sharpness, resolution, dynamic range and colour in RAW at low ISO speeds. The lens is excellent.
Dislike: The need to plunge into the menu system for every control other than exposure compensation is a pain. But the worst feature of this camera is the time that it takes to write an image to the memory card. From pressing the shutter to finished write is 15 seconds, and for that time the camera is locked. 15 seconds doesn’t sound much until you find yourself itching to take a second photo immediately, as you can with most cameras.
Verdict: The Sigma DP1 is not a pleasant camera to use. In many ways it feels like a throw-back to the bad old days when compacts were in their infancy. Responsive is not a word you would use for this unit. But then, just as you are ready to throw the camera away you see the picture and you love it. RAW files have astonishing latitude for post camera processing and the included software does a good job of turning RAW into TIFF or JPEG files. And if the Sigma DP2, when it comes, fixes the user-hostile problems it will be a great camera. Recommended for sunlit landscapes and architecture, not for portraits and social snaps.
*
Posted by terry at May 29, 2008 12:39 AM
Worth Checking Out
Digital Cameras SydneyTrackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://bleedingedge.com.au/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1495