Sigma Announce New DP1 compact camera

[Matt]

Sigma DP1 high-end compact digital camera


Sigma DP1 high-end compact digital camera equipped with 14 megapixel, large direct image sensor.

• 14 megapixel direct image sensor as used in the Sigma SD14 digital SLR.
• Featuring Sigma’s new, unique ‘True’ image processing engine.
• 16.6mm F4 lens (28mm equivalent).

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new, groundbreaking Sigma DP1 compact digital camera featuring a 14 megapixel FOVEON X3 direct image sensor (2652 × 1768 × 3 layers) as used in the Sigma SD14 digital SLR. The image sensor uses three silicon embedded layers of photo sensors, stacked to take advantage of silicon’s ability to absorb red, green and blue light at different respective depths.

A 16.6mm F4 Sigma lens, with a wide angle field of view equivalent to 28mm on a 35mm film camera, has been developed to maximize the image quality in conjunction with the full colour capture image sensor.

The DP1 takes advantage of the image sensor’s superior technology to capture accurate, full colour image information.
Sigma’s unique and powerful ‘True’ image processor is incorporated into the DP1, enabling it to handle the large image files produced by the 14 megapixel sensor and reproduce exceptional definition with image quality equal to professional digital SLR cameras and on a par with top quality film. The Sigma DP1 is equipped with a large 2.5” TFT LCD monitor with 100% image preview, making confirmation of composition, focusing and exposure quick and easy. This compact camera includes JPEG recording format for speed and convenience and a RAW data (X3F) recording mode for retaining full image capture detail of the utmost quality.

SRP: TBA

 

[Joe T]

Now that looks awesome!

I wonder how many £ that will be...

 

[Matt]

no official word on price yet...

 

[brummie]

i like the look but cant figure out why

14meg no test shots yet?

 

[whitewash]

simplistic retro, i love the look of it, its not trying to visually show off, it could easily pass for one of those lomocameras that are cheap as chips.

 

[danza]

I first read about this the other day when it was announced in AP.

To me it looks like the nasty black 35mm compacts of yesteryear, but if it performs well, then that doesn't matter.

I for one have never really understood Sigma's thinking behing Foveon, but if this is marketed well, priced well, and performs well then it could be just what Sigma needs to move further up the DSLR ladder when owners feel the need to upgrade.

 

[seriousrikk]

I just find it hard to get over the fact it is limited to F4 on the lens.
Seems like more should have been done to get faster glass on it to me...

 

[noah]

I just find it hard to get over the fact it is limited to F4 on the lens.
Seems like more should have been done to get faster glass on it to me...

i agree, bit silly not to use f2.8, surely that's cheap on a 28mm lens. something more creative would have been nice, maybe a f1.4 -expensive of course but then it would probably appeal to the market this is aimed at.

 

[Hoodi]

Yes, F4 is a little bit odd - most basic compacts have 2.8 lenses :s
Still.. If it performs!

As for Foveon, I'd much prefer a relatively "low" resolution foveon chip to a "high" resolution interpolated one.
Silly file sizes **** me off.