Oct 232011
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)
The Sigma DP-2 Digital Point & Shoot Camera features a 14 Mega Pixel FOVEON X3 direct image sensor (2,652 x 1,768 x 3 layers). The size of the image sensor used in the DP2 cameras is 20.7mm x 13.8mm. It is approximately seven to twelve times larger than the 1/1.8 inch to 1/2.5 inch image sensors used in ordinary compact digital cameras. The pixel size of the image sensor is 7.8m. The large photodiodes deployed at a large pixel pitch capture pure, rich light efficiently and give the DP1 its high
List Price: $ 649.00
Price: $ 449.00
Camera of my dreams.,
I find I have a hard time describing this camera to some friends. If they know enough about cameras/photography I will delve into all the details about why it is so different and why I love it so much. But for those friends who are less knowledgeable I just tell it to them straight – “no it can’t zoom, yes it’s only 4.6MP, yes I paid $650 for it and it’s worth every penny. It takes beautiful photos.” I spent some quality time with this camera on a recent trip to Victoria, BC and here are my pros and cons:
PROS
1. Amazing image quality (pixel-perfect sharp and colors are especially stunning. Always shoot in RAW)
2. Small (likely to fit in any coat pocket)
CONS
1. Sometimes you will miss candid opportunities because autofocus and shot to shot times are not super snappy. If you tend to be a “capture-the-moment-trigger-happy photographer, this will probably get on your nerves. If you are more of a composition photographer, it likely won’t.
2. Low-light autofocus is a bit useless. Pop it into manual.
3. The lens cap sucks. Really, Sigma. It needs to be tighter.
4. Some say the LCD isn’t bright enough for sunny conditions. I personally didn’t have a problem seeing the info I needed to see to properly set up shots. But it is certainly not as well-suited for reviewing shots.
I may have listed more cons but for me the 2 pros far outweigh them. I list them so others know what they are getting into. This is not a camera for the masses. Then again, maybe that’s why I love it so much.
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|Meanest little camera you’ll ever use,
There’s a ton of technical reviews of the camera, and I can’t add anything more to that discussion. I 100% agree with them, noisy at high isos, slow, etc. So let me give you my “every person review;” for background the Sigma DP2 has become my everyday camera, I’m taking about 5 pics a day; things I see that’s interesting, or just to document something happening e.g. bad drivers. I’ve logged well over 200 shots on this camera, since I also go to events and pretend to be a photographer in my spare time. So I feel comfortable, about offering my review after only owning it for 2 weeks.
This camera, is the meanest, most abusive, slowest, frustrating and confusing camera you’ll ever use; 4 out of 10 times, you have no idea what it’s focusing on. Sometimes, it treats the the shutter button press as a suggestion not a command. Also when you ignore it, sometimes it just crashes.
However, it will take some of the best pictures you’ll ever see. Some how the colors pop, look more 3 dimensional than any other camera I’ve ever used. Images just seem more life like and clear. Other than futzing with white balance (it always seems slightly off), I don’t have to edit the pictures coming out of this camera.
When shooting indoors at night, you’ll need to learn how to use the manual mode, even with adequate lighting the camera always seems 3 or 4 seconds behind what ever you want to take. Usually the focus doesn’t work. You’ll also have to get used to using the flash, if you’re like me a person who hates flash photography the higher ISOs are practically useless (unless you don’t mind converting them to Black and white). Even so, out of the 3 tweet ups that I’ve used this camera at, the pics I take with the Sigma (when they turn out), by far are the best compared to all the other photog’s there. Even beating out some of the Canon and Nikon dSLRs. Again, color’s pop, the lens is so clear its spooky and some how it just feels closer to film than traditional bayer CCD/CMOS sensors.
FYI It isn’t anywhere close to being 14 megapixels, RAW files have a remarkable ability to zoom and crop but it’s closer to 8 or 10 megapixels. This isn’t a bad thing, think of it like film, you don’t wonder how many megapixels there are in the film you’re using.
Also, you can’t hand this camera to a regular person to “here take my pic” I’ve tried it, and the camera for some reason has performance anxiety. It’s slow reaction time, ends up with a lot of pavement or sky shots, and its slow focus confuses the average on the street person.
As a side benefit, I’m finding my subjects act more natural when I take their pics (street photography) using the sigma instead of my Rebel SLR. Some how they’re more comfortable, until the sigma acts up and i have to say “hang on, sorry, my camera is acting up.”
In case your wondering, YES it is alive. Treat it nice and you’ll get amazing pictures, use it in a way that is slightly wrong and it’ll make you pay. I love it, i’m not trading it in, but I hope to FSM that the DP3 will be less temperamental and hate me less. If you do buy it, get a spare battery, power adapter and a good case. I’m saving to get the leather case.
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|sigma dp2,
this is not an easy camera to use. I use a 5d and take a lot of photos. I wanted a go everywhere camera.The auto focus is slow – the manual focus is not so great because the lcd is not so great. Maybe the viewfinder will help. I’ll buy one soon because despite the faults this camera is worth keeping.
Dont buy this if you want to photograph people – the auto focus is too slow.
There is just something about the photos this camera can take. When the focus is bang on its great. But its more than that. These pictures don’t look like photos taken with other digital cameras.
I put them into photoshop and need to do nearly nothing to them – especially the B&W.
Use this camera if you can use an slr. Use this camera if you have patience. Don’t use this camera if you want a quick auto focus.
If you can be patient and if you can put up with slow(ish) write times you will like this. If you are used to an slr and want a walk aroud , you will love this.
This is a great point and shoot but not a point and shoot for somebody who can’t use an slr. In terms of sharpness etc it may not be better than some others – the panasonics/ leicas, the g10 etc. However, the photos this produces make it stand apart from them. The dymnamic range is great. But its something about the colour and the contrast. I have used all the named above so can make that judgement.
I really wanted a digital rangefinder and coudn’t afford one right now. This is not a leica or even an epson but these pictures have a certain chartacter in the same way that rangefinder images do to me. They don’t compare, no question of that – but I have not been disappointed. These are not your usual digital images and I love them for it. They may not be leica images by a long way but there is still something unique about them that makes them stand out and they are undoubtedly comaparable with some dslr images.
I love film but also love the convenience of digital. So I use alien skin etc in photoshop. To my eyes, this is giving me something of the halfway house with minimal help from photoshop.
Give it a go if you are prepared to take your time and dont want quick auto focus and particularly if you want something against the grain, that stands apart from the usual crisp, clean digital image; an image with character earned by the camera and not just by photoshop.
If you can use a cmaera you can make good with this. Not a point and shoot for someone who wants a simple point and shoot. You can find quicker and cheaper point and shoots. You will get the most of this if you understand the basics of camera controls, have patience and appreciate film.
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