One of the most anticipated cameras of 2008, the ground-breaking Sigma DP1 has a DSLR-sized, APS-C sensor in a compact body, allowing it to produce image files of a quality never before seen in a camera this small. The DP1 also features a 28mm fixed-length lens, the ability to shoot JPEG and RAW files, a 2.5-inch LCD and an optional optical viewfinder.
Photographers have long dreamed of shrinking DSLR quality into a pocketable camera. Has Sigma fulfilled our dreams with the DP1? The answer is a qualified “yes.”
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Pros
- Foveon X3 DSLR-size image sensor
- The “best” available image quality in a compact camera
- Distinctive image quality characteristics
- Small enough to fit in a coat pocket
- JPEG and RAW file formats
- Crisp 28mm (35mm equivalent) fixed focal-length lens
- Rapid burst mode for limited action photography
- Optional optical viewfinder
- Hot shoe and optional dedicated flash
- Sturdy build quality
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Cons
- Only 4.6 megapixels of effective resolution
- ISO 800 and higher has objectionable noise levels
- Slow auto focus (contrast detection)
- Slow camera operation
- Unrefined menu interface
- Lack of dedicated controls for ISO and white balance
- No live histogram, over/underexposure alerts
- LCD has problems with color and reflections
- RAW conversion requires Sigma software (as of publication)
- Minimum focus distance of approximately one foot
- Average to below-average battery life
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