Thank you for the preview, love how you handled the camera in all kinds of different imaginable poses. Your video created a really nice ovewview of the ergonomics and size of the camera.
FYI everyone these aren't 39MP in the sense of a normal camera. Since each "pixel" on the sensor gathers information on all 3 base colors (something like that idk) its like 13MP with a layer for each color.
Sorry but you are recalling the specs incorrectly. This camera produces 19.6 megapixel RAWs by having a layer of 19.6 millions photosensors that registering luminance with a tint of blue, underneath that a layer of 4.9 millions photosensors registering green light and underneath that another layer of 4.9 millions photosensors registering red light.
Mr. Yamaki, the CEO of Sigma, said in his presentation that it has the ugly shape to pack in all the components similar to those in high-end DSLRs. To do so, I guess you gotta make it bulky or thin and long. He's a good friend of mine, a nice guy, really loves his job, so I'm looking forward to more reviews on the DP Quattro cameras once they come out.
If the price is right this might be great as a secondary camera for situations with good light. Sigma's sensor is absolutely amazing at the lower ISO range. Their technology actually works, it delivery great shots. At high ISOs the image starts to fall apart very quickly, ISO 800 is pretty much the maximum you want to use that sensor at (judging by the images I have seen taken with their previous cameras with this sensor tech). Imagine a camera with your favorite focal length that gives you incredible shots at around ISO 100 to 400. No matter how ugly this thing is, that sounds like a really really cool thing to me!
I love the Foveon cameras for the IQ. Sigma claims to address a number of the previous dp's shortcomings with the new cameras. They claim battery life, processing etc, are much improved. Please ignore the whole pixel count thing. It's not about the number of pixels corner to corner. It's the number of pixels capturing image data, color, tone, etc... Those who dismiss this camera don't really understand it. Thats ok, probably not the right camera for you anyway. It requires a different mindset. Think large format film and you will start to understand. Thanks for the video Matt!
Yeah. I think it will be interesting too to see whether or not the Foveon sensor has any real advantages over the Beyer pattern ones. The lens might be a great bit of glass but the one focal length with no option to changing it is a bit of a deal breaker given the sheer size of it. I'm not sure what niche this camera fits into but it's going to have to generate one heck of a brilliant image when compared to its competitors if anyone is going to be convinced it is worth buying. I have my doubts.
Nice video, I finally have some idea on how it looks in the hands. Those marketing shots don't show its true size and form. But how did it feel in the hands? I really wonder if this odd shape could work well. There's a few hand-held shot videos from CP+ that make it obvious that shooting with this new Sigma one-handedly is not an option. But looking at how you held it, it kinda looks like it may just work. This one is definitely an oddball. I'll be keeping my eyes out for this one. There's something in it that make me want to love it. And you gotta hand it to Sigma, they do have the guts. That design is plenty controversial, but it also generated quite a lot of buzz. Hope it lives up to the expectations. The previous generations of DP cameras, despite delivering stunning results in optimal conditions, had some pretty serious flaws. I wonder if Quattro improves that.
1. to be exact, this is really a third generation dp: original dp and dp2 first - with 's' and 'x' updates- then dp1-2-3 Merrill, and now DP quattro. 2. ugly or beautiful is subjective; it looks like it could be very ergonomically effective, actually. 3. there will be an OVF, not an EVF for the quattro series (EVF would have been nice though). 4. PLEASE people, stop the nonsense about the MegaPixel count! Sigma IS correct in their statement; however, if one wants to use the Bayer convention, then one could argue differently: it is a moot and pointless argument, the results speak loud and clear! 5. i would expect image quality to be sensational, and look forward to trying one as soon as they are available (any word fromSigma, Matt? any hint on pricing?). 6. much respect to Sigma for bravely pushing the envelope once again and for developing products against conventional wisdom. my only wish was that other manufacturers embraced the Foveon technology, made it more widespread and help advance its evolution.
Offcourse no one else is using the foveon censors. Sigma now owns the company that developed the technology. Meaning, they own the technology and the patent..
I love Sigma lenses...especially as of late. They really are the only lens manufacturer doing anything innovative. And their SLR - while it's not my cup of tea - is pretty respectable as well. But when it comes to their smaller cameras, I don't really get Sigma's mission. The DPx Merrils were fantastic quality, but their battery life was awful and the quality was a bit too high (40+ megapixel on a pocket camera seems odd). Interface wasn't bad though. The new DPx Quattro line...I have yet to put it to the test, but it seems to be more of the same: overloaded on quality, interface may be okay. Any idea on battery life yet? Any good? Not sold on it, especially considering what else is out there in this size. I think Fujifilm has the most appealing stuff at this size. Sony is close behind. Sigma has the edge on quality, but as a total package...I think they're behind.
I am a photophile(kind of like an audiophile but for images) and in my mind there isn't anything such as too high quality. I love the SIGMA DP series cameras because they are pocketable and gives serious quality that rivals monster cameras. I can carry one with me everywhere and will not be bothered about having a big hunkying monster to drag everywhere.
Tecnovlog that's good to hear. I have gotten to play with the camera, and it's nice. Photo quality, as always, it's awesome. Interface and form factor aren't that desirable, in my opinion. Not bad. But at that price point, I'd still be leaning toward Fujifilm. I'll admit bias: I got my X100s a year ago, and I couldn't be happier.
Imho a photographer Who own a sigma, merrill or quattro, should have another camera too. This is Not a camera for everyday or street photography. Iso quality is improve but IT cannot be compared to a dslr or a mirrorless
Tecnovlog very true. And to be fair, my x100s is the same. I love it, but it doesn't replace my DSLR. I think Sigma is trying to create a camera that would be a side arm. I expect that this was designed with the advanced photographer in mind. It offers quality that rivals the quality primary camera, most likely a DSLR, off a Medium Body, but is both simple in use and limiting. I must say, being limited to a single focal length is not as restrictive as one might think. It's freeing in a way.
Can you make the aperture on your camera smaller for these videos? Bokeh can be cool, but the way you shoot things, it seems like you're hunting for focus. I don't know if that's it, or if you just want to show off different parts instead of others. But it's annoying. I'd rather have the whole picture in focus.
If you buy Sigma Cameras you buy it for its individuell quality, which overall is the main feature of a camera. About this, there is nothing told, ok thats not your fault at all. - I like to use a camera, why do give no information about handling, how stable is it in the hand, how is the menue, what about the ergonomic grade of the wheels? Matt, I' sorry, your test is missing any serious interest for this product.
I think we should just say you don't understand the maths and leave it at that. Or do you think photosites are the same as pixels in the megapixels quoted for the Beyer sensors? How optimistic.
I reckon you don't know what you're talking about...bloviating self promotion. Suggest you dive into this deeper and come back when you're more well informed. A somewhat sad commentary on your behalf.
The worst camera manufacturer in the history of photography has done it again. As one recent professional photographer concluded about the new Quatro series: "It's a piece of crap". I believe Sigma bosses block their workers from finding the hundreds if not thousands of shameful reviews, past and present, on what surrounds an otherwise magnificent sensor. Sigma's electronic expertize is akin to a brain surgeon being asked to perform brain surgery on a slab of hard cheese, he just would not have a clue. Sigma is simply useless, except at making lenses.
sigma's sensor is not perfect at all, but in controlled conditions (that is not a camera for street photography) in a studio or with lights, it can deliver stunning images, someone even compare it to a medium format camera for quality
Thank you for the preview, love how you handled the camera in all kinds of different imaginable poses. Your video created a really nice ovewview of the ergonomics and size of the camera.
FYI everyone these aren't 39MP in the sense of a normal camera. Since each "pixel" on the sensor gathers information on all 3 base colors (something like that idk) its like 13MP with a layer for each color.
Sorry but you are recalling the specs incorrectly. This camera produces 19.6 megapixel RAWs by having a layer of 19.6 millions photosensors that registering luminance with a tint of blue, underneath that a layer of 4.9 millions photosensors registering green light and underneath that another layer of 4.9 millions photosensors registering red light.
Mr. Yamaki, the CEO of Sigma, said in his presentation that it has the ugly shape to pack in all the components similar to those in high-end DSLRs. To do so, I guess you gotta make it bulky or thin and long.
He's a good friend of mine, a nice guy, really loves his job, so I'm looking forward to more reviews on the DP Quattro cameras once they come out.
Get a hands on with the Pentax 645D ii
Yet another great video! Keep up the work Matt! =)
If the price is right this might be great as a secondary camera for situations with good light.
Sigma's sensor is absolutely amazing at the lower ISO range. Their technology actually works, it delivery great shots. At high ISOs the image starts to fall apart very quickly, ISO 800 is pretty much the maximum you want to use that sensor at (judging by the images I have seen taken with their previous cameras with this sensor tech).
Imagine a camera with your favorite focal length that gives you incredible shots at around ISO 100 to 400. No matter how ugly this thing is, that sounds like a really really cool thing to me!
No idea why people think the design is ugly. It is different yes, but to me it also beautiful and very ergonomic. Great grip.
I love the Foveon cameras for the IQ. Sigma claims to address a number of the previous dp's shortcomings with the new cameras. They claim battery life, processing etc, are much improved. Please ignore the whole pixel count thing. It's not about the number of pixels corner to corner. It's the number of pixels capturing image data, color, tone, etc... Those who dismiss this camera don't really understand it. Thats ok, probably not the right camera for you anyway. It requires a different mindset. Think large format film and you will start to understand. Thanks for the video Matt!
Yeah. I think it will be interesting too to see whether or not the Foveon sensor has any real advantages over the Beyer pattern ones. The lens might be a great bit of glass but the one focal length with no option to changing it is a bit of a deal breaker given the sheer size of it. I'm not sure what niche this camera fits into but it's going to have to generate one heck of a brilliant image when compared to its competitors if anyone is going to be convinced it is worth buying. I have my doubts.
Nice video, I finally have some idea on how it looks in the hands. Those marketing shots don't show its true size and form.
But how did it feel in the hands?
I really wonder if this odd shape could work well. There's a few hand-held shot videos from CP+ that make it obvious that shooting with this new Sigma one-handedly is not an option. But looking at how you held it, it kinda looks like it may just work.
This one is definitely an oddball. I'll be keeping my eyes out for this one. There's something in it that make me want to love it.
And you gotta hand it to Sigma, they do have the guts. That design is plenty controversial, but it also generated quite a lot of buzz. Hope it lives up to the expectations. The previous generations of DP cameras, despite delivering stunning results in optimal conditions, had some pretty serious flaws. I wonder if Quattro improves that.
Thanks for your hard efforts. ..
Any news about Slow motion HD camera?
All I can think about is seeing this thing on a list, 50 years from now, of weirdest camera designs of all time
Seems there's enough space for a full frame sensor...
none removable fixed lens ? that's gonna limit the target use and target audience, specially on the more unusual focal lengths (no matter the quality)
1. to be exact, this is really a third generation dp: original dp and dp2 first - with 's' and 'x' updates- then dp1-2-3 Merrill, and now DP quattro.
2. ugly or beautiful is subjective; it looks like it could be very ergonomically effective, actually.
3. there will be an OVF, not an EVF for the quattro series (EVF would have been nice though).
4. PLEASE people, stop the nonsense about the MegaPixel count! Sigma IS correct in their statement; however, if one wants to use the Bayer convention, then one could argue differently: it is a moot and pointless argument, the results speak loud and clear!
5. i would expect image quality to be sensational, and look forward to trying one as soon as they are available (any word fromSigma, Matt? any hint on pricing?).
6. much respect to Sigma for bravely pushing the envelope once again and for developing products against conventional wisdom.
my only wish was that other manufacturers embraced the Foveon technology, made it more widespread and help advance its evolution.
Offcourse no one else is using the foveon censors. Sigma now owns the company that developed the technology. Meaning, they own the technology and the patent..
I love Sigma lenses...especially as of late. They really are the only lens manufacturer doing anything innovative. And their SLR - while it's not my cup of tea - is pretty respectable as well. But when it comes to their smaller cameras, I don't really get Sigma's mission. The DPx Merrils were fantastic quality, but their battery life was awful and the quality was a bit too high (40+ megapixel on a pocket camera seems odd). Interface wasn't bad though. The new DPx Quattro line...I have yet to put it to the test, but it seems to be more of the same: overloaded on quality, interface may be okay. Any idea on battery life yet? Any good?
Not sold on it, especially considering what else is out there in this size. I think Fujifilm has the most appealing stuff at this size. Sony is close behind. Sigma has the edge on quality, but as a total package...I think they're behind.
I am a photophile(kind of like an audiophile but for images) and in my mind there isn't anything such as too high quality.
I love the SIGMA DP series cameras because they are pocketable and gives serious quality that rivals monster cameras. I can carry one with me everywhere and will not be bothered about having a big hunkying monster to drag everywhere.
battery life is improved with this camera and i think that they give 2 batteries with the camera
Tecnovlog that's good to hear. I have gotten to play with the camera, and it's nice. Photo quality, as always, it's awesome. Interface and form factor aren't that desirable, in my opinion. Not bad. But at that price point, I'd still be leaning toward Fujifilm.
I'll admit bias: I got my X100s a year ago, and I couldn't be happier.
Imho a photographer Who own a sigma, merrill or quattro, should have another camera too. This is Not a camera for everyday or street photography. Iso quality is improve but IT cannot be compared to a dslr or a mirrorless
Tecnovlog very true. And to be fair, my x100s is the same. I love it, but it doesn't replace my DSLR. I think Sigma is trying to create a camera that would be a side arm. I expect that this was designed with the advanced photographer in mind. It offers quality that rivals the quality primary camera, most likely a DSLR, off a Medium Body, but is both simple in use and limiting. I must say, being limited to a single focal length is not as restrictive as one might think. It's freeing in a way.
Be nice if this clown knew what he was talking about.
Bought a secondhand sigma dp1 and i HATED it. Sure, it takes great photos, but you have to be on a tripod. So slow!
That guy in the background with his mask! Did someone fart?
Can you make the aperture on your camera smaller for these videos? Bokeh can be cool, but the way you shoot things, it seems like you're hunting for focus. I don't know if that's it, or if you just want to show off different parts instead of others. But it's annoying. I'd rather have the whole picture in focus.
If you buy Sigma Cameras you buy it for its individuell quality, which overall is the main feature of a camera. About this, there is nothing told, ok thats not your fault at all. - I like to use a camera, why do give no information about handling, how stable is it in the hand, how is the menue, what about the ergonomic grade of the wheels? Matt, I' sorry, your test is missing any serious interest for this product.
GH4 !
The Mick Jagger of camera`s,very ugly but always gives a great performance.
Df owners shouldn't be talking about ugly...
I didn't call this ugly, I said I would use an ugly piece of kit if it works well (which I guess you would say is precisely the Df!)
Sigma MP figures are bull. Who do they think they're kidding?
I think we should just say you don't understand the maths and leave it at that. Or do you think photosites are the same as pixels in the megapixels quoted for the Beyer sensors? How optimistic.
I reckon you don't know what you're talking about...bloviating self promotion.
Suggest you dive into this deeper and come back when you're more well informed.
A somewhat sad commentary on your behalf.
The worst camera manufacturer in the history of photography has done it again. As one recent professional photographer concluded about the new Quatro series: "It's a piece of crap". I believe Sigma bosses block their workers from finding the hundreds if not thousands of shameful reviews, past and present, on what surrounds an otherwise magnificent sensor. Sigma's electronic expertize is akin to a brain surgeon being asked to perform brain surgery on a slab of hard cheese, he just would not have a clue. Sigma is simply useless, except at making lenses.
sigma's sensor is not perfect at all, but in controlled conditions (that is not a camera for street photography) in a studio or with lights, it can deliver stunning images, someone even compare it to a medium format camera for quality
I don't like the look of it
Not helpful at all.