http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/ Engadget Comments for Sigma's DP1: a DSLR in a compact's body (almost) shipping this Spring http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 2:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 3:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
This camera excels at photography. You shouldn't just EXPECT it to do video.

If you want a good video camera, get a camcorder, but don't expect good pictures.

If you want a good digital camera, get a digital camera, don't expect good video.]]>Jan 31st 2008 3:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
Convergence means you can make a grab for all the money the consumer has to spend in two categories. Best case: half of the consumers' cash goes to another company. Worst case: All of it does.]]>Feb 12th 2008 8:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 2:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
Also, as an amateur photographer this camera might be out of your price range. From what I have heard it's going to be priced at around 1k. I could be wrong about that, but I wouldn't be surprised.]]>Jan 31st 2008 4:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 4:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 4:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 2:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 4:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/No, they won't. This is supposedly the same sensor used in the SD14, which is a fine sensor for high ISO work.

Also, you said you're a professional photographer. And you shoot with an Xti? I don't mean to be a snob, but I hope that's your backup and not your main camera...]]>Jan 31st 2008 4:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
What the hell? You're a "professional photographer" and you use a Rebel Xti?

You don't sound like a professional photographer, or you would know that prime lenses offer higher sharpness levels than zoom lenses, and you would know that Sigma's going to be offering teleconverters for this thing anyway. You would also know that plenty of professional photographers use cameras without interchangeable lenses - you've never heard of a rangefinder?

This is not meant to be a DSLR - this is meant to be a no-compromise compact. To a proper photographer, the lack of a zoom lens is not a compromise - it's an asset.
]]>Jan 31st 2008 7:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 10:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 10:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/I hope there is an accessory one that attached to that hot shoe!
If the 16.6mm is given in 35mm equivalent then that is hot, if not then that is quite a narrow lens for an only option. Kind of mitigates its usefulness as a good street camera. Also, while a little slow at f4, if it is sharp then that will all be forgiven very, very quickly!
The more I think about it... 16.6mm is either quite wide (fish eye like-barrel inducing kind of wide) or quite narrow, depending on how they are listing it.
I would have guess something around 22mm to 28mm (in 35mm equivalent) might have been the thing for a camera like this.

Looks interesting.
I am officially quite curious.
I wonder if the price will be anything even remotely like reasonable.

- mike]]>Jan 31st 2008 4:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
(replied to the wrong comment the first time)]]>Jan 31st 2008 4:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
I don't know if I'd be a first adopter, but if the DP-1 turns out to be a successful camera then I wouldn't be surprised if other camera companies followed suit soon. (in fact, I bet Canon, Leica and the such are already working on their own solutions)

So in short: if it works, this could be the start of a brand new era in digital photography. If it doesn't, then it's going to be a damned interesting chapter in it.]]>Jan 31st 2008 4:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
The Ricoh GR is pretty damn nice with the update BTW.]]>Jan 31st 2008 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
Leica already has a really nice digital module for the R9. Don't know if they sell it anymore actually, I can't find it on their site right now.]]>Jan 31st 2008 3:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
And where's the option for an optical viewfinder?]]>Jan 31st 2008 5:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Was the specially-installed site established again?!
This was waited for.
I want this!
Because the substitute is not found. ]]>Jan 31st 2008 8:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
In any case, if a solid release date shows up, I'll be at the front of the line at my local shop...]]>Jan 31st 2008 8:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 8:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
If you really know what you're doing, then it doesn't really matter what the maximum ISO is on the dial. You can underexpose by 1 stop to get a faster shutter speed, then simply bring up the levels afterward on your computer. It will also help if you're working with RAW images which will give you the most data to work with.
]]>Jan 31st 2008 12:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/[quote]You can underexpose by 1 stop to get a faster shutter speed, then simply bring up the levels afterward on your computer.[/quote]
Of course you can do that, but is this really the point of a compact sized point and shot camera with a dslr-sensor? I want to take great shots without having to fire up PS just to get the exposure correct. I'd like to refer to "Shit in Shit out", jes I know RAW lets you avoid a quality loss, but then again why i can't take a great shot from the beginning with a decent exposure is beyond me. Imho Sigma shot itself in the foot with this one. I don't see a real use for this sort of camera.]]>Feb 1st 2008 4:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
Take your average Canon SD870IS. It has the same equivilent focal lenght of 28mm at wide angle, but the Canon is f2.8 at 28mm. So, if you set the Canon to ISO400 and f2.8, you get the exact same exposure as the Sigma at f4 and ISO800. Now, I'm sure the Canon looks worse at ISO400 than the Sigma does at ISO800, but I bet with the Canon as ISO200 it would look pretty similar. That gives the Sigma just a one stop advantage.

This isn't a fair comparison lens wise, but a Canon XTi with a Sigma 30mm f1.4 lens (equivilent to 48mm, so definitely not as wide) and you have a four stop advantage over the point & shoot using ISO800 on the XTi. That combo would also be fairly small and light, and probably not much more expensive than the DP1.]]>Jan 31st 2008 9:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
Perhaps in terms of just ISO noise, but there is also base image quality, and the Sigma DP1 should have it in spades over the Canon compacts. But we'll obviously have to wait until it's released to see...

A lot will depend on price here. If it's $1000, it will be a super-niche camera. If it's $600 and really gets the most out of that big sensor, it could have a good 'pro-sumer' audience IMO. OTOH, Fuji was doing a great job with the F30 and its successors in terms of ISO performance, but dropped it because most people didn't know, didn't understand, or didn't care (there are new F-series cameras, but they no longer have the high ISO performance of the old ones, which sell for a premium on EBay.)]]>Jan 31st 2008 12:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 12:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/F4 - boo
ISO 800 Max - BOO HOO
No Zoom - little boo hoo
No Flash - Boo Hoo because of other boo hoos

With the larger sensor, I was expecting at least great performing ISO 1600 minimum, but wanted 3200. We need a F2.8 especially considering the ISO. Now that ther is all the othr low light issues, no flash sucks because it is no longer compact since I have to also carry a flash. The fixed lens is a good length but still limiting considering the price.

I am a pro photographer and this camera seems limited at the executive decision making level. I would have bought this in an instant, even if it was greater than 1k if it didnlt have these set backs.
M]]>Jan 31st 2008 10:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 12:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
I understand this is beyond a basic user, but if you're a pro then you'd probably be shooting in RAW most of the time and want to post-process anyways.
]]>Jan 31st 2008 12:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
You're not going to fit one of those small collapsing zooms on here and get the value out of the sensor. In that case, you may as well go with a cheaper Canon compact, or go the other way and step up to a compact DSLR or Canon G9 (no longer pocketable but still reasonably light.)]]>Jan 31st 2008 12:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
ISO is limited: (If it is possible on their Sigma SD14, then it is possible here.)
It is always better to expose properly than to fix anything in post. A camera that you would have to underexpose and fix in post instead of the camera coming with proper ISOs. (It is not the same thing.) That technique should only be used because of a rare situation and not simple situations like indoors or the sun doing its daily cycle of setting.

A zoom is very possible with a compact of this relative size even with a f2.8. Even still, I am okay with a prime, but not f4.

A pro should know how to get his photography correct in camera, not in post. As a pro, post work is for stuff that couldn't be be achieved at the shoot, not because you bought a cheap camera.

If you were a pro, you wouldn't let ignorance be your guide.
M]]>Jan 31st 2008 1:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
It's a shame that so-called pro photographers like you give the rest a bad name by being so bloody elitist. You should know it's less about the camera and more about the monkey behind it. A real pro can pull nice shots out of a disposable.]]>Jan 31st 2008 3:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
I agree that a pro photographer can make a great image out of a disposable, but all cameras follow the same rules when dealing with light.

So we are back to limited ISO, aperature an usability. Thank You for your comments.
M]]>Jan 31st 2008 3:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 12:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 3:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
- rmjb
]]>Jan 31st 2008 12:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 12:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Jan 31st 2008 3:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
ISO 800 is tops and good enough. High ISO in any camera requires processed NR. There's a megapixel race and an ISO race. Neither is particularly good.

This is a very interesting camera—sort of the digital equivalent of the old Lecia's or Rollei's from the 60's. Id' much rather have a big sensor and fixed lens than small sensor with a zoom. The F4 might be a little slow for me.

Good for Sigma to choose another path.]]>Jan 31st 2008 8:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
There's two niggles i have with the DP1's specs. The first is the viewfinder. i hate, hate, hate digital viewfinders. This isn't a camera for the typical point and shoot crowd, so why, possibly aside from the lack of space does it lack an optical viewfinder? The second issue is the lens. f/4 is tolerable, but i'd like it to be a bit wider if it were to be a prime. 20mm would've been perfect, 24mm would've been more acceptable than 28mm. This strikes me as the perfect high-quality "vacation cam" for photographers -- perfect for landscape shots and portraits where the landscape needs to be prominent.

i really can't wait to see sample shots from this. Hopefully the price won't blow too far past the Canon G9, which i'm currently considering. One of these will be my walkaround cam for when i don't feel like lugging my 20D and gear. i'm not old, but there's time when a DSLR, no, a *standard* DSLR, just isn't practical.]]>Jan 31st 2008 9:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/
I shoot with the rebel xti around town because the quality is fine for daily stuff (nearly as good as the 5D, just a bit smaller photos). For serious stuff I shoot on 4x5 or 8x10 film using a toyo field or deardorff, which I then drum scan to get 1 gigabyte files. And yes, they are shot with prime lenses. Anyways it is absolutely NOT TRUE that prime lenses always yield better photos than zoom lenses. This depends entirely on the design of the lens, the quality of the optics, alignment and build quality, etc. There are good and bad lenses be they fixed or prime, there is no blanket distinction here. The main benefits of prime lenses are cost and speed. Since they usually have fewer elements they tend to cost less than zooms, and because the path is shorter they can have a lower full open aperture. The real reason to use primes is for low light, NOT for sharpness.

But enough about me, let's talk about this pointless DP1 camera. It's basically like sigma's version of the macbook air: small, but missing all the important stuff. The only thing this has got going for it is a 14MP sensor. Big whoop. The sensor is nothing without the rest of the camera, including mainly the lens. This camera would be 50X better if it had interchangeable lenses. But no, it has a fixed 28mm WIDE ANGLE F4 lens, not even a fast and standard 50mm 1.8 or 35mm 1.8. Couple that with only going to ISO 800 and no optical viewfinder, this is no more useful than any other prosumer compact out on the market today. This thing doesn't even have a manual focus ring for crying out loud. How can you charge 1K+ for a camera that lacks a manual focus ring?

I'm done ranting, waste your money on this if you want. ]]>Feb 1st 2008 2:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/As far as the DP1 goes let's wait for a ****ing hands-on]]>Feb 2nd 2008 9:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/31/sigmas-dp1-ships-in-spring-like-a-dslr-in-a-compacts-body-al/Feb 25th 2008 7:12PM