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Sigma finally announces price and availability for DP1 Merrill compact
We were still wearing our winter jackets when Sigma announced its 19mm F2.8 toutin' (28mm equivalent) DP1 Merrill compact was getting a (pseudo) 46-megapixel sensor overhaul. Now, we finally get word on when we can take the refreshed snapper for a spin: mid-September. If you're interested in an autumnal upgrade, we hope you've been saving, as you'll need to drop a sturdy $999 for the privilege. Which is fine, just as long as you weren't putting off the vacation until this arrived.
Sigma R&D shows Kinect sign language and Jedi savvy to win gesture challenge (video)
Sigma R&D has won first prize in a gesture challenge to show just how much more talent -- like sign language translation and light saber fun -- can be unlocked in a Kinect. Normally the Microsoft device can only scope body and full mitt movements, but the research company was able to track individual fingers with a Kinect or similar sensor, plus its custom software, allowing a user's hand to become a more finely tuned controller. To prove it, the company introduced a virtual lightsaber to a subject, tracking his swordsmanship perfectly and using his thumb extension to turn it on and off. The system even detected when a passing gesture was made, seamlessly making a virtual transfer of the weapon. The same tech was also used to read sign language, displaying the intended letters on the screen for a quick translation. The SDK is due in the fall, when we can't wait to finally get our hands on a Jedi weapon that isn't dangerous or plasticky. To believe it for yourself, see the videos after the break.
Sigma DP1, DP2 get 46-megapixel makeover
If Nikon thought its 36-megapixel D800 would be the king of the resolutions this week, they were wrong. Sigma, it seems, didn't get the memo and has crashed the party, updating its DP1 and DP2 compacts with whopping 46-megapixel sensors. Okay, so technically it's three 15.3 megapixel layers (that also being the effective resolution), but we'll play along with the marketing spin. Rebranded as the DP1- and DP2-Merrill in honor of the sensor's co-creator, the refresh sees the compacts sporting the same imaging innards as the firm's flagship SD1 Merrill SLR. The LCD screen also gets a bump from 2.5 to three inches, which, we suppose, is to do better justice to those massive pictures you'll be taking. Sigma's keeping price and availability under wraps for now, but hit the PR after the break for more info.
LHC discovers 'particle', starts repaying back that five billion
The Large Hadron Collider at CERN was built to discover new life forms and new civilizations particles to complete the Standard Model of physics, of which the Higgs-Boson is only a part. The $5 billion project has finally found something previously unseen, according to the BBC. ATLAS has picked up Chi-b 3P: a Boson (building block of nature) Meson comprised of a "beauty quark" and a "beauty anti-quark," bound together with a strong nuclear force -- believed to exist in nature, but never seen until now. Yesterday's discovery is so new, it hasn't even had a sigma rating yet, but we don't expect CERN to confirm the find until its next two hour keynote. Update: The initial report described the particle as a Boson (elemental force carriers), it is in fact a Meson (which comprise of a quark and an anti-quark).
Sigma Design's 'ultra thin' TV box design promises HD in a tiny package
It's not much bigger than many of the wall warts currently filling outlets in your power strip, but this reference design from Sigma Designs could be your next cable box. With HomePlug networking, Z-Wave RF remote control technology and the ability to process multiple 1080p streams at once built in, it only needs to be plugged in to the wall (and connected to a TV via HDMI) to get to work. connect to the network and pull in video from the internet, feeds from an IPTV provider like U-Verse (or Comcast eventually), or multiroom streams from a connected DVR. At its heart is the SMP8670 chip unveiled at CES that's optimized for XBMC, Adobe AIR and Flash which could make it an ideal extender for someone like TiVo or Boxee, if Sigma can get them to bite on the concept. Until then, all we can show you are a few pics of the bare internals in the gallery and a press release after the break. %Gallery-126765%
Sigma's fixed-lens DP2x reviewed: a 'quirky camera' that 'needs further development'
Most camera owners count low price, a versatile zoom lens, and HD video capture high on the priority list when searching for their next point-and-shoot, but Sigma's new DP2x falls short on all three counts, sporting an $800 price tag, fixed-length 24.2mm lens, and meager QVGA video. So why, then, did Sigma bother releasing an update to last year's DP1x? The camera's near-DSLR-size 14 megapixel Foveon X3 sensor is slightly redeeming, along with a sturdy body construction and full manual controls, according to a review on ePhotoZine, but negative bullet points like poor JPEGs, a magenta cast on images, and a slow response time leave us unimpressed. Sigma boasts of the cam's unique image sensor, which it claims stacks red, green, and blue layers for higher-quality images, but even there, poor low-light performance and 4.7 megapixel file output don't seem to make the tradeoff worthwhile. The site claims that the cam's lens is a solid-performer, however, with a fast f/2.8 aperture and an excellent manual focusing system. Overall, we don't appear to have a winner on our hands with the DP2x, but Sigma loyalists looking to stick with the seemingly overpriced, undervalued camera line can hit up the source link for the full review.
Sigma SD1 starts shipping in June for $9,700, has its sights set on medium format lovers
Sigma knows that $9,700 is a lot of money to pay for, well, anything, so it's couching the hefty price tag on its new flagship DSLR, the SD1, in the context of it competing against medium format digital cameras -- whose prices don't generally fall below five figures. Trouble is, as professionally inclined, well designed, and durably built as the SD1 may be, it still only packs a 15.3 megapixel CMOS sensor that spans 24mm x 16mm (or APS-C size). That means it'll have to earn its stripes on the battlefield of image quality, which it'll be ready to march onto in less than a month's time. Sigma promises to start shipping units in early June, so if you have the cash to spare (plus a little extra to fund a suitably awesome lens), you can start building up your anticipation today. Full PR and camera specs can be found after the break.
Sigma confirms pricing and availabilty for DP2x compact camera: $800, late-April
Sigma provided most of the details for its new DP2x compact camera when it announced it back in February, but it left out two key ones: pricing and availability. It's now finally (mostly) come clean on both those counts, however, and announced that the high-end compact will run $800 and be available in "late April." As for the camera itself, you'll get a 14-megapixel FOVEON X3 sensor that's said to be twelve times larger than those found in similarly-sized cameras, along with a fixed 24.2mm F2.8 lens, full manual controls with RAW image support, and an new AF algorithm that promises "high-speed" autofocus. Full press release is after the break.
Sigma launches DP2x compact digital camera, complete with Foveon X3 sensor
We had a feeling that a new segment of cameras was being introduced back at Photokina, and it sure looks as if Sigma's in for the ride. Following Fujifilm's fixed-zoom Finepix X100 and Olympus' Zuiko-equipped compact prototype, Sigma is introducing a high-end compact of its own in the DP2x. This handheld shooter has a gargantuan sensor within -- in fact, the 14 megapixel Foveon X3 is similar to those found in the company's (entirely more massive) SD15 and SD1 DSLRs. Sigma claims the sensor here is around 12x larger than what's generally found in a camera of this size, enabling it to capture far richer colors and oodles of light. The fixed 24.2mm F2.8 lens won't be doing any zooming, but those who love to tinker can take advantage of the built-in manual mode and its ability to capture photos in JPEG or RAW. It's pretty clear that the movie mode was an afterthought -- it'll log clips at 320 x 240, which is just enough to make you weep when thinking of what could've been. There's no image stabilization to speak of, a nine-point autofocus system and an ISO range of 100 to 3200, with 1600 and 3200 only available when shooting in RAW. You'll need to provide your own SD / SDHC / SDXC card, and your guess is as good as ours when it comes to price / release.
Sigma's mirrorless camera spotted, announcement coming later today? (Update: just a mod)
Is Sigma announcing an EVIL (as in Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens, not malevolent) camera today? Digital Photography Review forum member Ryan Shine seems to think so, and says it's "here" in China. As if to prove his point, we've got a trio of pictures for the mirrorless shooter. Hey, don't say we didn't warn you -- and if it doesn't become official soon, at least there's pictures to enjoy. Update: We tracked down the source and turns out this is just an enthusiast's modded Sigma DP1, which has been given a Leica M mount. Quite a daring mod, if we may say so.
Sigma SD1 has a 15.3MP sensor, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, and no video mode at all (update: eyes-on!)
It'd be too easy to describe this as "one for the purists," but it really rather is. The Sigma SD1 eschews any pretenses of being a video camera and gets right on with the business of taking gorgeous stills instead. Employing a 24mm x 16mm X3 CMOS sensor -- you know, the one with three stacked layers, one each for absorbing red, green and blue light -- dual TRUE II image processors, and an 11-point autofocusing system, the SD1 is eager to sweep up enthusiast photographers into its magnesium alloy embrace. 98 percent viewfinder coverage, a 3-inch, 460k-dot LCD and CompactFlash compatibility fill out the spec sheet, while price is indicated as somewhere in the neighborhood of the Canon EOS 7D. Without any live view or video options, Sigma had better have some truly spectacular image quality to show us when this thing ships in February of next year. Update: Our hopes and dreams of caressing this rugged beast were dashed upon learning that the only SD1 at Photokina was held behind a glass box of emotion, but that didn't stop us from pointing our own camera at it and firing off a few shots. Trust us, it looks just as beastly in person as it does in the press shots. Have a gander below, won't you? %Gallery-102882%
Sigma SD15 DSLR gets reviewed: unique, but not for everybody
Sigma's certainly managed to get plenty of photographers' attention with its line of Foveon sensor-equipped digital cameras, but it hasn't exactly always managed to meet expectations. According to Photography Blog, it looks like that's also the case for the company's latest: the SD15. While the camera is described as 'less of an obvious odd fish than its forebears," the site says that it's still best suited for photographers looking for a "challenge," and that you likely won't want to have it as your only DSLR. In particularly, Photography Blog found that while images exhibited less of the odd color casts and white balance issues of previous models, they still left quite a bit to be desired, especially at higher ISOs. On the upside, that Foveon sensor does still offer some capabilities that can't be found elsewhere, and the site says that the camera is unique enough that it can't bring itself to actively dislike it.
Sigma's mysterious SD15 DSLR finally ships to US, gets unboxed enthusiastically
We've all waited close to two years for this day to come, and now that it has, just a single question remains: "Does your credit card have the space?" Sigma's SD15 -- which is outfitted with a 14 megapixel Foveon X3 sensor, 3-inch LCD, True II processor, an ISO range from 50 to 3,200 extended) and support for SD / SDHC cards -- is now available to order on American soil. Better still, both B&H Photo and Adorama show the beast as "in stock" for just under a grand ($989, if we're counting), and the fine folks over at Akihabara News have managed to wrangle one for a glorious unboxing. Dig into those links below if you're hungry for more, but don't blame us if you come away a fair bit poorer.
Sigma SD15 nabs a lofty price and near-term release date, at long last
All together now: "Finally!" Believe it or not, we first saw the SD15 glimmer back in September of 2008 -- practically an era ago based on what has transpired on our little planet since -- and we found out this February that Sigma was keeping the dream alive for the time being. According to a report straight out of Japan, it looks as if the long wait for a DSLR that's possibly past its prime by now is just about over. As the story goes, the SD15 (along with its famed Foveon X3 image sensor) will be shipping in at least some portions of the world by the month's end, with a body-only price of ¥120,000 / €1,199 (around $1,310 on a good day) and a kit price of ¥140,000 ($1,528). 'Course, we're still planning to wait for the first legitimate consumer unboxing before we commence celebrating, but at least the end of the tunnel is clearly marked.
PMA 2010... and that's a wrap, folks
We had a great time in Anaheim this past weekend checking out the Photo Marketing Association's trade show spectacle. Hundreds of cameras and thousands of pictures later, we're finally back and getting settled. Let's take a look back at all that we saw this week, and then kind of wrap up a few loose ends. GE's 'Create by Jason Wu' camera collection unveiled, we go hands on Joby Gorillapod Magnetic flexible tripod hands-on Nikon CoolPix 'Style' and 'Life' series hands-on Pentax's rugged W90, ultra-zoom X90 now all but official Samsung TL500 and TL350 hands-on Samsung PMA roundup: hands on HMX-U20, eyes on AQ100 and SL605 Sony Alpha ultra-compact concept hands-off: leaves much to the imagination Sony's ultra-durable DSC-TX5 hands-on: ice, ice, baby Sigma trio espied at PMA, COO expresses interest in supporting 'mirrorless camera systems' %Gallery-86335% %Gallery-86558% %Gallery-86556%
Sigma trio espied at PMA, COO expresses interest in supporting 'mirrorless camera systems'
Still no word on price, but Sigma's recently-announced DP2s, DP1x, and SD15 cameras were on hand at PMA, just out of reach of our greasy hands. A shame, really, but at least we managed to at least stand in the trinity's presence, right? Perhaps more interesting comes from the mouth of Chief Operating Officer Kazuto Yamaki, who in an interview with Digital Photography Review predicts that zoom lenses are in the future for mirrorless camera systems -- which, for those not hip to his jive, apparently include Olympus' and Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds shooters, Samsung's "hybrid DSLR" NX10, and quite possibly Sony's new Alpha compact concept. Color us intrigued, but as Yamaki noted, it's all a matter of whether or not the market picks up. Let's hope -- those cameras featured above? Closer shots below. %Gallery-86255%
Sigma's new DP2s, DP1x and SD15 shooters could make you poor with the click of a shutter
Perhaps it's unfair to peg as "pricey" a trio of cameras with as yet unannounced pricing, but Sigma's got a bit of rep in that department. It also has a reputation for cramming incredible sensors inside beautiful, minimalistic form factors, and that certainly doesn't seem to be changing. The DP2s (pictured) and DP1x compacts (followups to the DP2 and DP1s, respectively) share a tweaked rear design that should hopefully make the notoriously obtuse cameras a bit easier to operate, and the DP1x is also putting the "Quick Set" button and True II processor from the DP2 to bear on its wide-angle view. Both cameras also boast a new, faster auto focus algorithm, but at the root of it all is the same old 14 megapixel DSLR-level CMOS sensor. In fact, Sigma's also stuffing this DSLR-style sensor into a DSLR, the new SD15. It was originally announced way back in 2008, but it's apparently really happening this time. It includes the same True II processor, a larger 3-inch LCD, and all those fancy DSLR perks like swappable lenses and a 77-segment AE sensor. Unfortunately, there's no word on price or release dates for any of this trio just yet.
NeoVue HD video streaming platform announced at CES
Intel's not the only crew in LV that's streaming HD from lappy to TV. Sigma Designs was on with its own platform on the NAM show last spring, and now those crazy kids want you to know that NeoVue (as it is now known) exists -- and it's spectacular. The technology supports 1080p video as well as the VGA projector standard via-USB dongle, based on the company's Coair wireless chipset. No word as of yet on price, release date, or availability -- but you'll know when we do. Promise. PR after the break.
Yahoo! Widgets opens developer kit to the public, expects a bigger 2010 even with new competition
In the follow up to its surprising 2009 debut, the Yahoo! Widget Engine is making a decidedly more low key 2010 CES appearance, highlighting its penetration across an even wider range of devices and the now publicly available TV Widget Developer Kit. With the rollout of VIZIO Internet Apps HDTVs throughout 2010, plus other manufacturers including them more widely on their line, it expects to reach all new heights in the increasingly crowded television application space. Going beyond just TVs, agreements with chipmakers MIPS Technologies and Sigma Designs are expected to increase its reach into other devices such as disc players and set-top boxes, which could provide that smoother experience we were looking for.
Sigma's DP1s gets official, hitting shelves in November?
Sigma's DP1 had a lot going for it -- despite a somewhat steep asking price, plenty of folks were won over by both its sturdy build and image quality. Now, after the world offered up a somewhat muted response to the DP2, the company's announcing an update of the former device. The DP1s features the same sensor and processor as the DP1 but adds some functionality, including the ability to simultaneously shoot separate RAW and JPEG images, and an option to allocate the QS (Quick Set) function to the digital zoom buttons. Also in this build is a 14 megapixel (2,652 x 1,768 x 3 layers) FOVEON X3 direct image sensor, which the company says will improved performance when shooting backlit subjects, a 16.6mm F4 lens, and more. No price or street date yet, but the rumor mill says to look for it sometime in November. PR after the break.
