| | |  | Other Digital Cameras | Home » » » » Sigma DP1 14MP Digital Camera | | | | | | | Description: | | The DP1 is a completely new type of camera offering the full specs and high image quality of a DSLR in the body of a compact camera. It is powered by the 14-megapixel Foveon X3 direct-image-sensor, which can reproduce high-definition images rich in gradation and impressive three-dimensional detail.
It is possible to record images in RAW or the widely used JPEG in four resolution modes. It offers five Exposure modes and three Metering modes as well as being equipped with a built-in flash with the Guide Number of 6, hot shoe, neck strap and 2.5-inch TFT color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 pixels.
The DP1 has the high resolution and functionality of an SLR, plus adaptability in terms of accessories, all built into a small body. | | | Features: | |
• 14-megapixel resolution; SLR-sized image sensor
• 16.6mm F4 lens designed exclusively for the DP1
• Large, 2.5-inch LCD; 3 metering modes and 5 exposure modes
• JPEG recording format for convenience plus a RAW data (X3F) recording mode
• Capture images to SD/SDHC cards and MMC (not included)
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Width:
| 113.3 millimeters | | Product Height:
| 59.5 millimeters | | Product Weight:
| 0.53 pounds | | Package Length:
| 9.92 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.43 inches | | Package Height:
| 3.54 inches | | Package Weight:
| 2.12 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 48 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Very enjoyable, a challenge sometimes, Sigma is a weird company.Jan 08, 2010
This camera is a tease. It is very easy to imagine and conceptualize any number of improvements for this camera. The flash should be removed, it is simply dumb and has a guide number of about -10 (kidding of course). The lens is nice but needs to be a full stop faster at least. A 2.0 lens alone would cause this thing to evaporate off of store shelves. The accessories are bizarrely overpriced, especially the case (majorly ugly and junky) and the VF-11 Viewfinder (junky, small, and many people are going to the Voigtlander model anyway or buying ancient ones off of ebay..Sigma is really screwing up badly by pricing this thing so high, the markup must be 800%). The LCD screen is too dark and the batteries take a month to charge. This camera is incredibly slow when shooting in raw mode...you better be patient and if you are working with someone you will often times be heard to say: "excuse me the camera is still writing the image to the card"..or something to that effect. The DP-1 has a grid over lay on the screen but an absolute MUST for this camera is a bubble balancer..either for the hot shoe or if u can somehow manage to find a 25mm long mini balance you can glue it onto the top of the flash (trust me). This camera is mostly made out of metal and feels relatively solid. The lens design is kinda dumb also..I would much prefer a fixed lens instead of a battery eating lens extension every time I start the camera. There is a new model being worked on that will address some of these issues, so let's keep our fingers crossed, but don't hold off on buying a DP-1 now..the way Sigma works it could be decades until the new one is released. What this camera really needs is to have a Leica M-Mount, and real rangefinder viewing would really be a dream come true. Of the models available (DP-1, DP-1s, DP-2) I recommend the original DP-1, the images are quite remarkable, nudes shot with this thing under blue skies yields awesome skin tones, skies, and detail. The small size of the camera is a big plus, not quite pocket-able, but close! Sigma could also get off of their butts and create a full-frame foveon chip....there are sooo many things they could do. Sometimes I feel as though this company is really two brothers in a garage somewhere in Japan.. :-)
1 of 7 found the following review helpful:
 Totally DisappointedDec 01, 2009
I ordered Sigma Dp1 because I did read so many good reviews but at the same time I bought it, I got the Canon G11 as a gift from my sister.
So far what I read from this camera reviews are "this is not a camera for newbie or amateurs, you know what you're doing when shooting with this camera".
And I know what exactly I'm doing with this camera, returning it. Here are some highlights
1. I may not be a professional but I'm definitely NOT a photography newbie, I have couple canon and Sony DSLRs and couple Sony and eight L lenses in my bag and been shooting for years, and yes I do know how to play around with shutter speed, aperture, iso....
2. my first feeling of this Sigma Dp1 is it's so light, and cheap build plastic quality on my hand.
3. extremely noise LCD, I turned it on in a room with big windows and lots of sun light, but the LCD showed noise like hell. It's a very low resolution LCD.
4. slow autofocus.
5. extremely slow processing speed after taking a photo, looks like it froze for 5-6 seconds and you can't even do anything with the camera until the camera "wakes up". The red light is on indicating that it's "processing". I can't accept this kind of speed, specially for a point and shoot (DSLR alike). Probably with a sandisk extreme SD, it would be better, but...not worth it.
6. Very slow resolution, even though it has 14MP, but I do not understand why resolution is extremely low, in photoshop it's showing me the photo is 2500 something by 1000 something. This is unacceptable for a 14MP, I felt like Sigma is lying to me. I checked the image quality option and really, it's the highest photo quality setting.
7. flash popping up is plastic cheap sound and not it's bright enough.
8. non IS lens, f/4 lens, not many features, and can't work in low light condition. to somebody, f/4 is enough, yes, but it has to be outdoor and perfect lighting condition, if you take scenic or outdoor photo, f/4 is ok. Sorry Sigma, but I usually shoot at night, in restaurants, bars, night clubs, and auto/program mode gave me blur images. If I increase Shutter speed to get sharp image, it's dark and noise as hell....
9. design has no hand grip, hard to hold in your hand.
10. cheap button, black icon color blending in black plastic button (smart design huh?), hard to see and read.
My current G11 rocks, Canon has lowered the MP to improve low light performance and it is really good, macro is extremely good, IS works really well for sharp image even at 5X optical zoom, it's much better than my old G10. Even the G11 that has 10MP censor, it gave me 3648 x 2736 pixel at 180 dpi. I really do not understand Sigma and how could they survive their DP series.
Hope this review helps.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Sun WorshiperNov 29, 2009
The Sigma DP1 is a sun worshiper and can take the most amazing pictures if you know some basics. It loves iso 100 in bright daylight. The colors are dreamy. Even sunset at iso 100 f4 will give the most beautiful colors. Leave the white balance on sun and no problems. Part sun and some shade looks dramatic, but all shade looks washed out even with WB on shade. Most reviewers say autofocus is slow, so I never have tried it! Manual focus is great, just rotate the wheel to fast focus and you can zoom in to see detail while focusing by hitting the screen button on the lower right hand corner. Mainly for most landscape shots or even most spontaneous shots, you can reduce the aperture and leave the focus on infinity with a wide open depth of field ensuring proper focus. You can set the exposure bracketing to get three shots in one sec. Thus with preset focus and three rapid shots you can even get some great spontaneous shots. Use the LCD screen just to frame the picture: it will looked washed out in bright sun, and resist the temptation of all digit cameras to review the shot after you've taken it... like a film cameras you wont know what you are getting till you "process" the picture. Use the sigma pro software supplied which does an amazing job, if slightly slow at bringing out the image either on the default setting or auto. You can make a few custom changes as well to bring out amazing images. One tip is to use a SD card reader and the fastest SD card you can get and to review the unprocessed images rather more quickly as thumbnails and the only process the shots you like, since thats what take considerably more time. There is an easy wheel on top to select aperture priority, and easy buttons to switch between apertures quickly. Used in this way, you really won't be using many of the menu items which have been described as cumbersome for anything other than setting up the camera, which is best done with the manual by your side. Set operation and shutter to silent and the camera is completely silent while shooting! Sure it's a little noisy when the lens extends or retracts, but if you simply leave it on, no problem. In short. the beauty of this camera is amazing sunlight pictures, light very portable well built body and a lovely quality wide angle sigma lens. A 28mm equivalent lens brings wide open perspective that the DP2 simply cannot match. At $400 and this kind of beautiful sunlight colors captured by a large foveon sensor in a compact body, the original DP1 could well become a cult classic.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
What price memories?Oct 05, 2009
Would you pay a couple of hundred dollars to go back in time, to see it as you remember it? This is the first camera that captures exactly what I saw: the color, the atmosphere, the mood. Using software you can change any digital picture's colors, contrast, etc., but you can't make them more real. My other cameras have all taken good pictures, but they haven't captured what I remember. No amount of money will get it back for me.
I'm not sure I agree with the reviews that say this camera is not for everyone. Yes, it doesn't have bells and whistles and it doesn't try to make things easy. But I bet someone who knows nothing about cameras would take better photos with this camera at its factory setting than they would with a "smart" point and shoot. Just my opinion, of course. The fixed wide angle lens would be the most aggravating part. As it is for me. But again, everything you see in the LCD comes out exactly as you'll remember it. So if you frame whatever you want (which might mean getting up in your subject's face) the camera will take care of the rest. The reason the camera doesn't have zoom is simple. They wouldn't be able to guarantee the accuracy of its visual memory. It's annoying, but I'm glad they force me into putting the camera where it needs to be.
One day my kids will look at these photos and they'll won't think me so crazy for having an interest in this stuff. By that time they should be able to print 8x10s for pennies. The reality will astound them.
FOLLOW UP 3 WEEKS LATER
Anyway, I've experienced all the negatives you'll read in other reviews (slow write times, focus problems, faint LCD, etc). But one thing hasn't changed. When I've been able to set the camera correctly for the shot it hits it out of the ballpark. The camera is small enough for me to carry it everywhere and I do. I've taken a lot of fun shots I would have missed otherwise.
FOLLOW UP 8 MONTHS LATER
I now agree with the other reviewers--this camera is only for a neurotic photo-nut. I often decide to sell it, especially after I take it out for some simple pics at a party. It's not even close to Canon, Sony, etc., in ease of use. It can mess up on a photo a $50 point and shoot could handle with ease. But then it takes some pictures that just jump out of the screen, or off the paper. I keep telling myself I'm just imagining it. But then I do use another camera and something seems to be missing. Like many others, I have a love-hate relationship with this camera.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Astounding photos.Jul 20, 2009
I've used this camera for color, b&w, and infrared art photography so far. While the color photos are excellent (after upping the saturation) and exceedingly sharp, it's the infrared that amazes. Note! This is not a camera for action photography. My review is at foveon dot tk.
| | |
|
