Sigma DP1

• Foveon X3 sensor
• 16.6mm fixed focal length lens (equivalent of a 28mm lens)
• Built in flash
• 2.5 inch LCD

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Reviewers Conclusions & Verdicts - (updated 02 October’08)

Shutterbug
“This elegant camera is not intended for all-purpose picture taking because of some speed issues, the lack of a zoom lens, and the mediocre LCD, which is difficult to use in most lighting conditions.”


CNET.co.uk
“Never mind the megapixels. The DP1’s images have a clarity and a quality that conventional sensors can’t match, so it punches well above its apparent weight.”
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PhotographyReview
“The Sigma DP1 is best suited to wide-angle photographers who value image quality and aesthetics as the primary photographic attributes. Whether these are landscape photographers or street photographers may not really be the question.”
   Overall, Review was Favorable:

NYTimes
“But did it have to be such a lame camera? No zoom, no stabilizer, no focus lamp, no optical viewfinder, no live histogram; weak flash, washed-out screen, quarter-size movies, infinite shutter lag, loose lens cap.”
   Overall, Review was UnFavorable:

TheOnlinePhotographer
“If the lighting is attractive, and your subject is not moving and you have a minute or two to get the photo, then, for a small camera, the Sigma DP1 will give you unprecedented results.”
   Overall, Review was Favorable:

CameraLabs
“But the downsides to the DP1 are considerable to say the least. With the big sensor and sharp lens, it seems almost churlish to complain about the lack of features you’d expect from a modern compact, so we won’t mention them again here.”
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ThinkCamera
“The Sigma DP1 aims to fill a gap, but most pros or high end enthusiasts may end up disappointed. On paper it all makes sense - take a compact body, add a big sensor, a prime lens and manual controls.”
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DPExpert
“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.”
   Overall, Review was UnFavorable:

Pocket-lint has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“And so, the Sigma DP1 is a bit of a mixed bag. Thought of as a quality compact digital camera, the image quality is streets ahead of any of compact with a “normal” sensor and competes well with DSLR image quality and so makes it a realistic back up, for image quality at least.”
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PhotographyBlog has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“So in summary, the Sigma DP1 is a camera that demands a lot of patience and understanding, but also one that rewards you with fantastic image quality, albeit at a hefty price.”
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TrustedReviews has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“The DP1 is hardly a cheap compact, in fact it costs more than a DSLR, but it is a unique proposition both in terms of its design and its sensor. There are other cameras with similar handling, but the sensor size is sure to appeal to a certain type of photographer. Whilst it has certain charms, it’s by no means perfect and minor adjustments to the design of the camera would make it more usable, while Sigma also needs to look at the flash and fix those problems for any subsequent models. Without getting into the sensor debate I can say that the files from the DP1 are generally okay but inconsistent which puts a dampener on the whole experience.”

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DPReview has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“As it stands though the DP1 has not been developed to its full potential yet and can only really be recommended for landscape photography (and similar applications) in reasonable light and to photographers who can live with a frustratingly slow speed of operation and the other shortcomings we have talked about above.”
   Overall, Review was UnFavorable:

GoodGearGuide has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“Sigma’s DP-1 is a very interesting camera. On one hand it captures some of the best shots we’ve ever seen from a non-SLR camera, making it great for enthusiasts. But it also has slow performance, an annoying interface and lacks a viewfinder, all of which may be a deal breaker.”

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ImagingResource has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“Thanks to its higher price of around $800 and the other limitations mentioned above, the Sigma DP1 doesn’t meet the needs of the general photographer wishing for an SLR replacement or substitute. However, the patient photographer might find the Sigma DP1 a refreshing pocket companion for wide-angle photography, and it would certainly serve well as an auxiliary wide-angle choice while shooting with a telephoto lens mounted on your SLR — if only it were a little faster. As with any photographic tool, an artist can make much of any device that can image as well as the Sigma DP1.”

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Shutterbug has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“On the one hand it is a very versatile camera that produces excellent quality images and is eminently portable. There are many options that are akin to SLR-like cameras. The fixed focal length lens might seem limiting at first, but this is something you get used to, even enjoy using. But the LCD screen is problematic, and in bright daylight got in the way of making compositional decisions and even exposure settings. This is not unique to LCD-finder cameras, but here is one problem that diminishes an otherwise excellent traveling companion that produces superb image quality.”

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ePhotozine has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“The Sigma DP1 is certainly a specialist item designed for those to whom image quality is their key requirement. It’s aimed at the professional and advanced amateur image-makers who want the quality it can provide in a pocket-sized bundle. The camera is simple and robust with no pretensions to being pretty, but it is practical with a sensible interface that’s not full of fairy-ware!”

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OutBackPhoto has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“In some way the new Sigma DP1 is a great concept. Use a small P&S like camera, insert a larger DSLR sensor (here the Foveon sensor of the Sigma SD14) and add a good lens. Larger sensors can mean less noise and more image quality.

• Applause for the new concept
• Size and weight are great but look into a Nikon D60 or Canon Rebel XSi/450D using even the kit lenses and you have a much more responsive camera (ok they also feel big compared to the DP1).
• Long way to go to make a camera of this type into a Mini-Leica of the digital age.”

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Luminous-Landscape has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“The bottom line then is that the Sigma DP1 is able to produce very high quality images; possibly the highest from any current pocket-sized camera. But it’s my belief that this quality stems less from its use of Foveon technology that it does from simply using an almost APS-C sized sensor and a high quality lens, and when (and if) other camera makers decide to follow this route, and assuming that they pay more attention to basic camera features and functions than Sigma did, it may be very hard for Sigma to compete unless they really pull up their socks. Hey Canon – how about a G10 with one of your 1.6X sensors and a decent optical viewfinder? Now that would be a competition killer, and would have serious photographers flocking to it in droves.

On the other hand, if Sigma were to bring out a next-generation DP1 style camera which had more attention paid to its operation as a camera than simply proving its technology, they might really have something as well.”

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TheOnlinePhotographer has reviewed the Sigma DP1 and they write -
“In my opinion, despite all the limitations, the Sigma DP1 can produce the best images of any small, light weight P&S camera that I have ever seen or used—and not by a small margin. Even at ISO 800, it produces results that are unimaginable with other P&S cameras at any ISO.”

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PhotoReview - 25 March’08 - reviews the Sigma DP1 and thinks it’s a revolutionary camera. Here’s a summary of their review -
“This is not a camera for point-and-shoot photographers. This camera is particularly suited for people who intend to shoot RAW. Low light performance was middle of the road with substantial loss of color in long exposures shot in JPEG. The camera’s flash was crummy in that it could not illuminate even a medium size room at any ISO setting. While the camera operated pretty fast its auto focus was painfully slow in low light.”

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PopPhoto - 14 February’08 - reviews the Sigma DP1 and thinks it feels like a serious piece of photographic machinery. Here’s a summary of their review -
“One flaw is the optional viewfider which fits in the hot shoe. the problem is you cannot use an auxiliary flash and the optional viewfinder at the same time, oops. Also there are some pretty weird preset like Wax Museum” or “Shiny Foods.” Its LCD which is almost 100% coverage tends to glare a little in bright sunshine.”

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Photokina - 15 June’07 - reviews the Sigma DP1 and feels this is a camera that offers DSLR image quality in a subcompact. Here’s a summary of their review -
“With the addition of the Foveon sensor you will be able to shoot in JPEG and RAW. The outstanding aspect of the DP1 is its image sensor size, which is a lot larger than in any other compact digital camera.”

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Actual Owner Feedback

“The Sigma DP1 delivers on its promise of excellent image quality, but this is overshadowed by disappointing handling.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“If you are looking for a high end digital camera for street or personal diary work, this might be it. It’s more expensive than other high end “point and shoots”, but this is much more like a digital Leica M3, than a consumer level p+s.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“I am amazed at how much detail there is in each photograph, in terms of the color and tonal accuracy and the ability to crop in on very small regions of a photo and still get a decent sharp picture.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“This camera has the best image quality in a compact body out of all the compact cameras in the market today. Yes, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the other small cameras but for people who are serious about photography, image quality comes first.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“After 3 weeks of using this camera (and tons of research), I am very impressed. The image quality is far superior than any other point & shoot camera, and IMO better than most DLSRs.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“You will read complaints about slowness. If you are a point and shooter, that is correct, and you should avoid this camera. “
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

Sample Photos

[Sample Photos at Shutterbug]
[Sample Photos at PhotographyReview]
[Sample Photos at CameraLabs]
[Sample Photos at ImagingResource]
[Sample Test Photos at PhotoReview]
[Sample Test Photos at PopPhoto]
[Sample Test Photos at Imaging-Resource]

Specifications

[Official Sigma Specifications]

Owners Manual

[Owners Manual]

Press Release

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.
• 16.6 mm 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 color capture image sensor.

The DP1 takes advantage of the image sensor’s superior technology to capture accurate, full color 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.