New Sigma after 3 years!

It has been nearly three years since Sigma has announced a new DSLR camera. It is a unique camera. This is not a cheap camera (lists price $1,600!) but it comes with many wonderful features. Note, some of the specification information was copied from brochures.

Caveat: I've noticed that review ratings seem to be higher the more verbose (a polite word for bloated or padded) they are. Mine are not. They are to the point and will provide you with a quick read about how the camera operates. I am not providing a lengthy epistle about every feature. (I'm also not writing to be Mr. Popularity so if you want to say my review is only "somewhat helpful," fine by me.)


Specifications and features (along with a few of my comments)
14.1 megapixel (high mp does NOT mean a better picture, but you can get some terrific enlargements)

FoveonX3 sensor which has a 1.7x lens factor – color accurate, detail obsessed, low noise alternative to the CMOS and CCD sensors used in other DSLRs.

2.5 inch LCD

RAW file storage - more and more photographers are using this feature as it improves image quality. (more comments further down)

Pop up flash – similar to what is on the Nikon D200. Sync speed is 1/180 second. For the most part, it works fine.

Lithium ion battery

Excellent image quality in RAW images at ISO below 400
Removable IR/dust filter can increase your creative abilities

Image quality and resolution are excellent.

Color accuracy is excellent

Noise is very low at low ISOs but increases to a moderate level at very high ISOs such as 1600

Contrast is slightly low at normal settings

High price may deter many buyers (shop around and you can get it about $300+ off of list price)

JPG quality is not the best at higher ISOs

Mirror lockup helps reduce camera shakes during longer exposures

There is no automatic image presents for action, nature, portrait or night scenes

Viewfinder – no longer shows dotted line frame around the field of view which is an improvement on older Sigmas. Extremely accurate with a bright clear image.

RAW or JPG can be captured. More and more people are using RAW (works with the advanced versions of Adobe Photoshop). Image capture is great with both versions; but reaches excellent with RAW (make sure you have plenty of memory cards as they take up more file space!) If you plan to shoot at higher ISOs, you will want to shoot RAW as you will receive significantly better color accuracy, less shadow noise. There is software that comes with the camera to convert the RAW files into JPG.
Shutter speeds range from 1/4000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb function
Weight (body) is 1.8 pounds. It’s the typical size of a DSLR (not that compact)

Controls are well placed and easy to use.
A new Quick Set button makes it easy to change common settings such as ISO, white balance, resolution, and file format. However, to change the camera’s 8 special functions, you must press the function button repeatedly to get to the right icon, then hold it while turning the mode dial. This is a pain on practically every digital camera. We want compact units and then we get these tiny dials that require us to squint when using them; often having to refer to the owner’s manual to figure out what we’re doing. Ugh.

Although it may add to the cost, it’d be nice if we could get a touch screen monitor (like a GPS) that can hook up to the camera which could provide the functions that we could touch with our finger or a stylus. It could be a small unit that could attach to the strap and hang around our neck and could be quickly plugged into the camera to use!

Bottom Line:
A good camera, some unique features. The RAW works great but with the high price tag and some flawed images at higher ISOs, you really have to shop around for price on this one. Hopefully it will drop.

With some practice you can really learn to love this camera, knowing that you need to shoot with RAW in low light conditions. I really liked the controls on the camera....they are spaced out and easy to work with in low light conditions.

This is selling for a professional price; however as an instructor to beginners to intermediate users, it requires a bit of practice to become comfortable with its many features.