Sigma DP1 samples

[bmattock]

I could be wrong, but I believe these were posted today.

http://www.sigma-dp1.com/jp/sample-photo/

Also, dang. Wow. Other kind words. Sorry guys, I'm dazzled and all.

 

[simonclivehughe]

Sorry, I'm not... every shot is at ISO 100. Let's see what it does at 400 and 800, then make a judgement. From the very few shots I saw at 400 and 800 before, they weren't any better than any small sensor cam. (A notable exception being the GRD II which has quite reasonable high ISO performance, and, of course, with a smaller sensor.)

 

[Athos6]

Sorry, I'm not... every shot is at ISO 100. Let's see what it does at 400 and 800, then make a judgement. From the very few shots I saw at 400 and 800 before, they weren't any better than any small sensor cam. (A notable exception being the GRD II which has quite reasonable high ISO performance, and, of course, with a smaller sensor.)

Noise should be as the SD14 (similar at least) so not bad, not great, but should be worlds ahead of a small sensor camera.

 

[simonclivehughe]

One would think so, but in the only high ISO pictures that have been posted to date, I saw colour blotching in the shadow areas and the sky and we're only talking 400 and 800 ISO. If the noise is that good, where are the high ISO samples to prove it? Believe me, I'd love for this camera (or at least the concept) to succeed, but I'm by no means convinced that Sigma has done so.

 

[bmattock]

Here are more samples posted, including high-ISO and test-pattern images:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/DP1/DP1A7.HTM

 

[gavinlg]

I'm impressed for most daylight shooting. The iso 800 stuff isn't fantastic but cleans up pretty well. The look is that of a low to mid end Dslr which is excellent. It looks as if at low ISOs, not much will beat it.

I'll probably get one as a backup to my D300. It'll be between that and the grd2 anyway.

 

[gavinlg]

I might add the detail at low ISOs is astonishing to me. Looks like it's clearly reproducing tiny branches and singular peices of grass better than even my D300... Handling of tones and highlights looks amazing and on a clearly different level to the ricohs

See here for tiny detail (big pic)
http://www.sigma-dp1.com/sample-photo/img/SigmaDP1-001.jpg

Have a look at the level of tones and the pixel sharpness in this one... beautiful handling of highlights:
http://www.sigma-dp1.com/sample-photo/img/SigmaDP1-008.jpg

 

[JTK]

http://blog.paran.com/foveon/24785998

...critical direct comparisons to GRDII, D40, D300, 5D.

...as you can see, it handily beats most of those in resolution and noise, at least to 800ei. I've seen no suggestion anywhere that it'll replace Neopan400@1600, though the lens is said to be Canon L quality at full aperture. Sigma president said the sensor is now advanced beyond SD14 (which looks to be in clearance sale mode).

 

[DwF]

just me?

just me?

or anyone else bothered that the lens is f 1:4 It's an Everything is always in focus camera! 🙁 Kudos that they designed a fixed focal length but a good 35 f2 fixed lens a la Hexar AF would be nice

 

[M. Valdemar]

This camera looks like a big bunch of overpriced baloney.

 

[gavinlg]

or anyone else bothered that the lens is f 1:4 It's an Everything is always in focus camera! 🙁 Kudos that they designed a fixed focal length but a good 35 f2 fixed lens a la Hexar AF would be nice

Still better than any other compact digital camera in the world for DOF control

 

[gavinlg]

This camera looks like a big bunch of overpriced baloney.

Have a look at the samples I posted higher up. I posted the link to them. Look at them on a pixel level (100%). It's MOST impressive.

 

[bmattock]

This is the Sigma DP1 (16.6 mm) at f/4, ten feet distance to subject:

Subject distance 10 ft
Depth of field
Near limit 5.58 ft
Far limit 48.1 ft
Total 42.5 ft
In front of subject 4.4 ft (10%)
Behind subject 38.1 ft (90%)
Hyperfocal distance 12.6 ft
Circle of confusion 0.018 mm

This is the Ricoh GR Digital (5.5mm) at the same distance, at f/2.4:

Subject distance 10 ft
Depth of field
Near limit 4.45 ft
Far limit Infinity
Total Infinite
In front of subject 5.5 ft
Behind subject Infinite
Hyperfocal distance 8.02 ft
Circle of confusion 0.006 mm

I agree that f/4 is going to make it harder for OoF effects, and will limit low-light use by a stop and a half, but it is still a tad better than the 'faster' Ricoh GR Digital in that regard.

 

[Trius]

Pretty uninspiring and soulless, and I'm not talking about the compositions, as I realize they're just test snaps.

 

[bmattock]

Pretty uninspiring and soulless, and I'm not talking about the compositions, as I realize they're just test snaps.

What are you talking about, then? The way the camera looks? I'll give you that, it reminds me of an Argus C-3 Matchmatic that way. Kinda cool.

Wish it had an optical viewfinder and a 40mm lens, though. Dang.

 

[Trius]

I might add the detail at low ISOs is astonishing to me. Looks like it's clearly reproducing tiny branches and singular peices of grass better than even my D300... Handling of tones and highlights looks amazing and on a clearly different level to the ricohs

See here for tiny detail (big pic)
http://www.sigma-dp1.com/sample-photo/img/SigmaDP1-001.jpg

Have a look at the level of tones and the pixel sharpness in this one... beautiful handling of highlights:
http://www.sigma-dp1.com/sample-photo/img/SigmaDP1-008.jpg

What's with the magenta cast?

 

[gavinlg]

Again as I said - have a look at the samples I posted links to. Most impressive.

 

[bmattock]

What's with the magenta cast?

Can't help you there - I'm color-blind (seriously). I can't see any magenta cast, but if you say there is one, I have to believe you.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

http://blog.paran.com/foveon/24785998

...critical direct comparisons to GRDII, D40, D300, 5D.

...as you can see, it handily beats most of those in resolution and noise, at least to 800ei. I've seen no suggestion anywhere that it'll replace Neopan400@1600, though the lens is said to be Canon L quality at full aperture. Sigma president said the sensor is now advanced beyond SD14 (which looks to be in clearance sale mode).

Thanks for that link. I've never seen subjects popping like that on a compact digi. Nice.

 

[breathstealer]

http://blog.paran.com/foveon/24785998

...critical direct comparisons to GRDII, D40, D300, 5D.

...as you can see, it handily beats most of those in resolution and noise, at least to 800ei. I've seen no suggestion anywhere that it'll replace Neopan400@1600, though the lens is said to be Canon L quality at full aperture. Sigma president said the sensor is now advanced beyond SD14 (which looks to be in clearance sale mode).

The noise levels are great, but the big deal for me with these samples is the model shots. My main worry was that a 28mm equiv. would be tough to use, but the reviewer shows just how useful the length is.