m4/3rds with Foveob chip?

T

Tuolumne

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I have decided that what the world needs is a m4/3rds camera with the Foveon sensor. Think there's any chance Sigma will make one? Oh, and please throw in some fast primes, wide and long.

/T
 
bmattock said:
Sigma purchased Foveon last year.

http://www.foveon.com/press_article.php?a=248

So I'm going to guess it won't happen. It would be cool, though.
Click to expand...

I know they did. But that's why it should/could happen. Why wouldn't Sigma make a m4/3rds camera with their proprietary chip? It would be much more attractive than the DP1/2 and would have a proprietary differentiator in the chip that many people value.

/T
 
Trius said:
Sigma produces at least one 4/3 lens.
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Yes, they do. They're a member of the 4/3 Consortium of manufacturers.

However, they would appear to have their hands full. The DP2 is only now coming to market after some delay. The SD15 was announced over a year ago, the SD14's remaindered (I got one, cheap and new in box), and yet they're not on the market yet, AFAIK. I am still going to say that they're either unwilling or unable to produce a 4/3 camera as well. However, I never say never. It could happen. It would indeed be nice.
 
Well, I really want a camera with a Foveon chip, but I don't think I'm willing to spring for the DP2 to get it. I'd rather have it in a more versatile package, like m4/3rds. I think if Sigma is smart they should aim for that. Too bad about their production problems. i didn't realize they has such a hard time bringing product to market. Interesting in this day how easy it is to dismiss production problems. :bang:

/T
 
Tuolumne said:
Well, I really want a camera with a Foveon chip, but I don't think I'm willing to spring for the DP2 to get it. I'd rather have it in a more versatile package, like m4/3rds. I think if Sigma is smart they should aim for that. Too bad about their production problems. i didn't realize they has such a hard time bringing product to market. Interesting in this day how easy it is to dismiss production problems. :bang:

/T
Click to expand...

I don't have any inside information, I'm just speculating based on their historical difficulties bringing cameras to market. They seem to do better with their main business, which is lenses.
 
I have thought about that too. In good light at ISO 100 the foveon is ace (think studio or flash-photography). You must like how it renders the colors though.

But a huge drawback is low-light performance. In my opinion, simply horrible. The blotchy noise is very hard to control and the highlights get a strange, red sensor artefact. If this was fixed the foveon could be a very, very interesting sensor in a responsive camera with interchangeble lens. It is not a matter of megapixels.

But I am not sure what Sigma is up to, but I am curious what will come out next. I have a DP-1 and I find it way too unresponsive. Image quality is very fine in good light though. However, I would try to improve the sensor in the first place (control of red artefact, accurate color reproduction, better low light performance with less blotchy noise).
 
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