Sigma DP2S 14MP X3 FOVEON CMOS Digital Camera with 24.2mm f/2.8 and 2.5 inch LCD
- Full-Scale Sensor: The same APS-C sized sensor used on Sigma DSLR delivers on the DP2 promise of high resolution and rich tone.
- Direct Image Sensor: Sigma’s three-layered Foveon X3 direct image sensor captures all the color, creating images of unprecedented immediacy.
- Integral Lens: Lens expert Sigma has poured its best technology into an integral lens just for the DP2, with a focal length
- Imaging Capability: The Foveon X3 direct image sensor captures images in all their clarity and richness-it captures the very feeling in the air
- True II: A proprietary algorithm optimizes image-processing time and quality
Sigma’s DP series cameras are designed so as to provide the photographer full creative freedom and control within a compact digital camera. Thanks to its proprietary three-layered Foveon X3 direct image sensor, this 14.45 mega pixel camera creates photographs with a unique 3-D look along with the kind of clarity and sharpness you’d expect of a digital DSLR, something you might create with a much larger camera. The DP series cameras have been upgraded for easier operation and have now been unifie
List Price: $ 940.00
Price: $ 650.11
Printing equipment manufacturers see ink distribution as opportunity.(european report): An article from: Ink World
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Title: Printing equipment manufacturers see ink distribution as opportunity.(european report)
Author: Sean Milmo
Publication: Ink World
List Price: $ 9.95
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Stellar image quality in small package,
Sigma DP series are unique because it is the first compact camera that utilize a large sensor size equivalent to Digital SLR camera. It is also unique because it use Foveon sensor instead of more popular CMOS / CCD sensor. So far, only Sigma uses this type of sensor. Sigma uses it on compact DP series (DP1, DP2) and DSLR like SD series (SD10, SD 14, and upcoming SD15).
Foveon sensor has different characteristic than regular sensor, which I will discuss a bit on image quality section.
So, what is new about DP2s? Sigma DP2s is an update of DP2, so it has many similarities like the image sensor, shape etc. The main improvement is in the processing speed. DP2s use TRUE II engine which Sigma claims to be faster than TRUE I which is employed in DP1.
Main Specs
- 14 MP Foveon sensor
- 24.2 mm f/2.8 lens equivalent to 41mm in 35mm camera.
- True II processor
- 2.5′ LCD screen, 230k resolution
- ISO 100-800 expandable to 3200
- 3 fps continuous shooting
- 9 selectable auto focus points
BODY & HANDLING
Sigma Dp2s weighs 260g, and its dimension is 4.4 x 2.4 x 2.0 in. (113 x 60 x 50 mm). It is just a bit bigger than Panasonic LX3, an advanced compact camera, and smaller than Panasonic GF1, a micro four thirds camera.
Sigma DP2s has metal casing. The design is plain and boxy, at a glance, it is almost similar to Canon S90 IS but larger in size due to the bigger sensor and lens.
Despite the plain and boxy design, it is good to hold and does not attract attention. When it is on, the lens will extend out around 1 inch.
Sigma DP2, the former model has been criticized quite heavily because of the unclear labeling (dark text in black button). In Sigma DP2s, the labeling become clear (white / red in black body).
LCD screen is quite small compared to today standard (2.5′ in) and low res (230k) but it is good enough to compose picture.
To change important setting, Sigma has QS (Quick Set) button which you can access various important settings such as ISO, WB, Release mode, film mode, image quality, aspect ratio, metering and flash. It is not the quickest way especially if you compare with DSLR or m43 cameras that has plenty of dedicated buttons, but this works fine.
To change aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation and to navigate the menu, you will rely mostly on up and down button and four way buttons.
Menu system is quite simple, there are 21 items that you can modify. However, the menu is not categorized.
Sigma also has unique Manual Focus with distance indicator. This is helpful for manual focus, and you will use it quite a bit because DP2s AF is not working very good when shooting close subjects. MF is easy to operate, just push the OK button to magnify the screen.
IMAGE QUALITY
As I mentioned before, Sigma DP series is unique because of the Foveon sensor.
“Traditional color film uses red, green, and blue sensitive color layers in the emulsion to capture the image. The Foveon uses the same approach to image capture with three overlapping layers of light gathering, with each layer sensitive to a different color.” AnandTech.
This has several consequences. Sigma produces smaller image size (2652×1768×3 layers) (approx 4 MB) compared to popular Nikon D90 12 MP sensor (4288 x 2848). Sigma also has more noise in higher ISO setting. From ISO 50 to 200, image is very clean. ISO 400 is very good and ISO 800 is the limit of acceptable image. In Nikon D90 or other DSLR, 1600 or even 3200 is still very good.
However, in term of image quality: clarity, color, and sharpness, Sigma DP2s really shines. It is excellent in pixel level, good contrast and saturation. I like the skin color, and the JPG output require less brightness/contrast adjustment compared to most DSLR I’ve tried.
PERFORMANCE
To process image from Foveon sensor require good processor. And this is what Sigma lacks in previous DP cameras (DP1 and DP2). This is made worse because Sigma is not a strong electronic company like Sony or Samsung. Therefore, processing image and general performance of DP1 and DP2 is slower.
However, Sigma uses new processing engine called TRUE II, which I think improves the overall camera performance significantly. I say “significantly” because I haven’t tried the previous generation.
For me, DP2s performance is very good compared to compact cameras. It starts up and shut down reasonably fast (around one to two seconds). Auto focus speed is quite slow but bearable at around .5 to 1 second. When shooting close subjects, auto focus regularly won’t work well.
Overall, the performance of Sigma DP2 is about a bit below average compared to compact cameras. However, it has been improved significantly from previous series, which could be a lot worse…
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|Great Camera,
I recently bought the Sigma DP2S along with a normal point and shoot zoom camera, the Panasonic DMC-ZS7. I was going to wait for the Sigma SD 15, which has not been released as of the date of this review, but I wanted to try out the Foveon sensor. I have considered replacing my entire Canon system with Sigma’s SD 15 based on the image quality I have seen and comments by some pros. While waiting for the SD 15 to become available, I decided to try out the DP2S. I figure I’ll return it after trying it out. Well, that was the plan. After having played with it for a few days, I’m at the point of not being able to return it. It’s a wonderful camera. Image quality is terrific, better than even some of my Canon’s L lenses. No zoom. No interchangeable lenses. Expensive camera. But great photos. And that’s the bottom line why I get a good camera. Not only am I increasingly likely to keep it, but I still also anticipate getting the SD 15 when it’s out. The SD 15 is a full SLR with a variety of good lenses available. The DP2S only has the built-in, non-zoom lens. Why am I paying so much for a non-zoom “compact” camera, I ask myself, especially since I now have the Panasonic point-and-shoot and anticipate getting Sigma’s SLR? Someone somewhere called Sigma’s Foveon sensor cameras the “poor man’s Leica.” And I now understand why.
The menu system and controls of the DP2S are different from most digital cameras. But I like them. The more I have become used to them over the past few days, the more I resent the more “traditional” digital complications. I love the unusual manual focus option. (Read the manual to understand the zoom to focus option.) I also find the Sigma software good, though it is limited in its functionality and it can’t seem to handle opening large numbers of photos on my Mac without crashing. Like others, I really hope that Apple will begin to support Sigma’s RAW format. It is frustrating that iPhoto and Aperture do not support SIgma RAW at the moment, though the JPEGS are, of course, supported. And you can convert to JPEG in Sigma’s software and then import wherever you want. The software is a free download from Sigma’s website so you can try it out without having to get the camera.
The view screen on the back is difficult, sometimes impossible, to see in bright sunlight. Like others, I’d love a built-in full function viewfinder. The optional one does have the full display of settings. Low light performance is really not great, as people have mentioned elsewhere. The camera is slightly big to wear on my belt and I’ll have to look for a camera case that it fits in with a belt loop to see if I can make it work anyway. I prefer a camera on my belt. That’s what I do with my point-and-shoot so that I’m never without a camera. There might be an additional thing or two I’d prefer they do different and I suspect Sigma will do those in future models. But the bottom line is that this camera can take great photos and it’s easy to use. The metal build feels good and I like its simple looks. But don’t try out the camera thinking you’ll return it. It’s proven tough for me to do.
For me, the camera has made taking pictures fun again. It’s not the work getting all my Canon equipment together to go take photos now, except that photo opportunities for which a zoom is needed are naturally lost. But the lens is great and the sensor is great and, with others, I can highly recommend it. I’m really looking forward to Sigma’s SD 15 when it’s finally out.
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|The DP2S may become your most frequently used camera,
So much research and reviews were dedicated to the pros and cons of the X3F. For the skeptics, let me say those claims on superior dynamic range and color accuracy are all true. The tradeoff on occasional inconvenience caused by the lack of a zoom lens for better image quality produced is well worth it. So what is missing? For now, the DP2S still feels more like an artist tool. This pocket size camera will need to add more features such as face detection in its next upgrade before winning over the crowd. Nonetheless, those who have been holding off a purchase, waiting for more interchangeable/mirror-less models to choose from may want to think about why Sigma and Leica are the only two brands so far that offer compact models with APS-C size sensor and a fixed focal length lens. After owning one, I firmly believe this is the right combination to go forward with.
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