Poll How many of you are going to buy a DP1 ?

[Pascal]

As of right now, I am quite impressed with the SD-14 and the DP-1. I had the chance to try out the SD-14 and if I wasn't invested heavily in the Canon EOS System, I would jump at this.

Hoping the DP-1 is made available for around $800 or less, I would buy one for a compact P&S. It definitely seems to be better than the GR-D at this point. Then again, just about anything has better noise than the GR-D.

 

[Creagerj]

saving my pennies for a Leica.

 

[350D_user]

The problem is lens design restrictions

Well, camera companies have mastered AF. They've also mastered the art of cramming camera bodies full of computers, motors and batteries.

Are manufacturers too afraid of being seen as innovators, to attempt something different?

 

[fgianni]

Well, camera companies have mastered AF. They've also mastered the art of cramming camera bodies full of computers, motors and batteries.

Are manufacturers too afraid of being seen as innovators, to attempt something different?

I am afraid that innovation at the lens design level is strongly constrained by the physical characteristics of the different types of glass available, as far as I know Sigma is not capable of developing new glass types, so it depends on design innovations from companies like Shott.

Essentially you want it small (to avoid having a compact as big as an SLR), and you want it sharp (to avoid having an expensive high end compact that produces images as good as many other digital P&S that cost less than half the price), with the currently available materials you can't have it fast as well.

 

[schaubild]

I'll get one as soon as they are delivered to importers for reviews. Looks very interesting to me.
Although you might be disappointed about the price tag that is discussed now.

 

[fgianni]

I'll get one as soon as they are delivered to importers for reviews. Looks very interesting to me.
Although you might be disappointed about the price tag that is discussed now.

The price tag was given by a SIgma representative at PMA as being "below $1000"
This may easily mean £750 in the UK and 1000EUR elsewhere in Europe.
So it aint going to be cheap!

 

[schaubild]

This price information was quoted as being published too early. The actually discussed number is in the region of EUR 1200... 🙁

 

[fgianni]

This price information was quoted as being published too early. The actually discussed number is in the region of EUR 1200... 🙁

Ouch, I am not anymore so sure I am going to get one straight away.

 

[350D_user]

I am afraid that innovation at the lens design level is strongly constrained by the physical characteristics of the different types of glass available, as far as I know Sigma is not capable of developing new glass types, so it depends on design innovations from companies like Shott.

Olympus were heading in the right direction, with their XA range.

Essentially you want it small (to avoid having a compact as big as an SLR)

... so digital noise will be a problem, due to small sensors.

and you want it sharp (to avoid having an expensive high end compact that produces images as good as many other digital P&S that cost less than half the price)

Minox also got it right, lens quality-wise, as well as camera body design.

with the currently available materials you can't have it fast as well.

I'll settle for my Leica Standard. Full frame photos, sharp Industar lens, small in size, lightweight, mechanical, and it cost less than the replacement Sigma 18-125 lens I bought for my 350D. 🙂

 

[JonR]

I will!

I will!

I will definately go for it!
In fact I have already talked to a friend in Japan to keep an eye out for me in the shops if it is launched earlier in Japan than in Europe!

One can always ask for something more and many of the comments in this discussion zooms in on possible weakness such as the noice level at very high ISO, the fact that it is only f/4 etc but to me it is very clear that the DP1 seems be be the closesst we can get today to a "digital rangefinder" with a big sensor, good lens, external viewfinder etc. I will go for it and I am sure I will use it a lot!

/J

 

[foto_fool]

Nope. Between the E-300 (soon to have a 30mm/f1.4), Panasonic LX2 (more-than-adequate p&s) and a nice used R-D1 (in the mail, with a 40mm Summicron waiting to jump on it) my digital needs are filled. There is nothing revolutionary or compelling in the DP1 technology. Independent of the technology, as a camera it has too many limitations.

- John

 

[fgianni]

Olympus were heading in the right direction, with their XA range.

I am not so sure about the sharpness of the XA, decent but could not compare with my SLR primes, certainly my TC-1 is miles sharper, thats why I sold the XA and kept the TC-1, but I may have just had a bad sample.

... so digital noise will be a problem, due to small sensors.

No small sensor on the SD-1 that's the whole point of the camera, an APS sized sensor in a pocketable body, this essentially is what is getting people excited.

Minox also got it right, lens quality-wise, as well as camera body design.

Again, not in the league of a TC-1 or a T3, and to get the maximum out of such a sensor you need it even sharper than that if possible.

I'll settle for my Leica Standard. Full frame photos, sharp Industar lens, small in size, lightweight, mechanical, and it cost less than the replacement Sigma 18-125 lens I bought for my 350D. 🙂

Oh yes I am not going to get rid of my Leica or my R-D1, it is only that my pockets aren't probably as big as yours since I would not consider either pocketable. 😀

 

[350D_user]

No small sensor on the SD-1 that's the whole point of the camera, an APS sized sensor in a pocketable body, this essentially is what is getting people excited.

Hopefully the image processor's as capable as the DIGIC2 (3?) range, as well as the sensor itself delivering low-noise results.

Also, hopefully you don't buy the raw myths people are willing to spout. 🙂

 

[fgianni]

AP has reviewed the SD-14, and it looks really bad, at this point I am having second toughts on the DP-1.
Keeping an eye on the SIGMA forum on dpreview I discovered that Sigma seems to have produced quite a few lemons, so we can only hope that the camera sent to AP for review was one of those, I mean the results are so bad my digital P&S can do better!

 

[John Robertson]

A digital compact camera with 28mm fixed lens and an APS sized foveon sensor, I can't wait to get my hands on one, and I'm definitely going to buy one.

But how many fellow RFFers are tempted to the dark side by this unique camera?

See this weeks AP Ian, the Fovenon sensor did not fare too well in their test of the Sigma SLR🙁

P.S. sorry did not see your later post!🙄

 

[fgianni]

Now BJP did a test of the SD14, and according to them does not seem to be bad at all, so maybe AP really did end up with a defective sample.
Quite surprising at ISO100 the dynamic range is less than at ISO 200 and 400, maybe the foveon sensor is really a 200 ISO sensor like the one in the R-D1 and Nikon D100.
BJP actually praised the low noise at ISO 200 and 400, go figure.

 

[shutterfiend]

After all I've read (SD14 vs. 5D, 3-layer color, 4.7 x 3) it hasn't appealed to me. I need to see a B&W (most of what I shoot is B&W) comparison between DP1 and GRD. I'll hold out and shoot film until then.

 

[zuikologist]

Now BJP did a test of the SD14, and according to them does not seem to be bad at all, so maybe AP really did end up with a defective sample.
Quite surprising at ISO100 the dynamic range is less than at ISO 200 and 400, maybe the foveon sensor is really a 200 ISO sensor like the one in the R-D1 and Nikon D100.
BJP actually praised the low noise at ISO 200 and 400, go figure.

I flicked through another of the UK photo magazines recently, can't remember which one - their test of the SD14 was stellar: film-like colour, super sharp (no bayer filter) and great dynamic range. Are they just protecting advertising revenue or is it any good?

 

[meat tooth paste]

i want one if the price is less than $1000

 

[Avotius]

not a chance, too expensive, slow slow painfully slow lens, and heck, its a sigma, which I have never been impressed with