Sigma Corporation announced today that they are acquiring Foveon, developer of the X3 sensor. Foveon developed and manufacturs the unique 3-layer X3 sensor used in the Sigma SD14 digital SLR and DP1 compact digital camera.
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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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Sigma DP1 Studio Test Images
	ISO 100 Sample >> ISO 200 Sample >> ISO 400 Sample >> ISO 800 Sample >>

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

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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I was very excited about Sigma’s DP1 compact digital camera when it was announced at the 2006 PMA tradeshow. It took over a year for it to actually be released and then a few more months for us to get one for review. So was it worth the wait? I can’t say yet as I only had a few days to play with it before sending it on to Laurence Chen for the actual review. But I had to do our studio testing and product shots so I got to play with it for a few days and decided I should post a little preview here.
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The Sigma SD14 is a newly redesigned 14-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera equipped with the innovative Foveon X3 direct image sensor. The SD14 digital SLR is priced at about $1,500.

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Sigma SD14 Studio Test Images
	ISO 100 Sample >> ISO 200 Sample >> ISO 400 Sample >> ISO 800 Sample >>

Pros Superb image quality from Foveon X3 sensor Pentaprism viewfinder with 98 percent coverage and 0.9x magnification. Brilliant 2.5-inch LCD with three levels of magnification. Diopter correction allows adjustment for user’s eyesight. Pop-up flash with external flash control performs well. Long-life shutter rated at 100,000 cycles. Easily removable dust shield.	Cons No scene or custom exposure or settings. Difficult to some change settings without looking away from the viewfinder. No auto-ISO or gradations between the five ISO settings. Can’t go back in the menus. Sigma Photo Pro 3.0 software is slow.

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