It's always worth noting when a reviewer says that a device, "sets a new standard for image quality in a compact camera." That's PopPhoto's conclusion after testing the Sigma DP1 with a DSLR-sized, FOVEON X3 CMOS sensor packing 14 megapixels. The image quality and color accuracy remained "stellar" right up to ISO 800 where other compacts shackled with tiny sensors begin to lose control of the noise. The biggest nits are with the sluggish 9-zone AF system, an unsophisticated flash, lack of image stabilization, and delays between shots. Fix those while whittling-back the $800 street price a bit and PopPhoto believes the DP1 could go mainstream.

[Via Photography Blog]

Looks like the Sigma DP1 has a date and price: according to their site, it'll be out tomorrow for ¥89820, or about $850 US. Those that just can't wait to find out more about this sucker should check out Pop Photo's very early first impressions. Although they don't have a lot of conclusions to make about it in their first 24 hours of testing, there's certainly a sense of excitement in the air about a smallish point and shoot equipped with an over the top 14 megapixel FOVEON X2 CMOS pulled right out of Sigma's SD14 DSLR.

[Thanks, Tano]

Read - Sigma's price n' date
Read - Checking out the DP1

Sigma was showing off their digicam slab of tech, the DP1. To the untrained eye, it doesn't look like much. But Sigma's put the same 14.1-megapixel APS-C sized Foveon CMOS sensor used in its SD14 DSLR into this tiny package. There's a f/4, 28-mm (in 35-mm equivalent terms) lens, but what really impressed us was the build quality on this unit -- not a creak or bit of flex to be had on the camera. It's definitely a high-end piece of photo jewelry.

Why hello darlin.' As we had hoped, Sigma's DP1 just got a release date. Come Spring, we'll finally see what that 14 megapixel FOVEON X3 sensor found in Sigma's SD14 DSLR can do in a compact's body. That's about 7 to 12 times larger than the sensor found in ordinary compacts. The biggest compromise you'll be making though, is with the lens. A fixed, 16.6-mm F4 lens designed exclusively for the DP1 illuminates each 7.8μm pixel on that 20.7 x 13.8-mm sensor. If you're still game then rounding things out are Sigma's new "TRUE" image processing engine, a 2.5-inch LCD, pop-up manual flash, hot shoe, manual or 9-point autofocus modes, and QVGA movie recording to SDHC cards. All this in a 4.5 x 2.3 x 2-inch body weighing 8.5-ounces. We remain intrigued.

We understand that many of you have relinquished hope of seeing Sigma's compact DP1 with DSLR-sized (APS-C not full-frame) sensor. For the rest of you, take note, Sigma just sprouted a new teaser page promising, "The worldwide debut, soon." For all of Sigma's claims that the DP1 is "a camera that belongs to no known category," we'll be sure to toss it under the "vaporware" tag if we don't see it say, PMA-soon as in tomorrow.

[Thanks, Daniel]

More than a year since its announcement, Sigma has released an official update on the progress of their DP1 anomaly. According to Sigma, the delay is the result of poor image quality delivered during testing necessitating a "change to the entire image processing pipeline." Alpha tests of the redesign began in early November with no date given for production. Remember, this is slated to be the first compact to feature an APS-C sized image sensor found in DSLRs -- no easy task. In this case, we're talking the 14 megapixel FOVEON X3 found in their SD14. At least that was the plan. Sigma now says that the specs will change from what was originally announced. Bottom line: Sigma will be rolling out a redesigned compact with unknown specs on an unspecified date. Clear?

Some additional details and stylings have emerged on Sigma's DP1. In addition to sporting a cleaner design than the early prototype peeped back in September, the DP1 also receives a a new hot-shoe up top for attaching a dedicated external flash and new external viewfinder. Otherwise, it still packs the same 14 megapixel FOVEON X3, APS-C sized image sensor good enough for their SD14 DSLR; a 2.5-inch, 230k pixel resolution LCD monitor; and CF slot making this , according the Sigma, the "world's first full-spec compact." We'll just have to wait and see how it performs (and costs) when released in Spring 2007. A few more pics after the break.

[Via dpreview]

In case you're still curious about those SD14 teaser shots, Sigma has officially announced the arrival of it's newest flagship DSLR, and has thrown down a beefed up P&S to boot. The SD14 replaces the aging SD10 model, and rocks a (probably unnecessary) 14 megapixel Foveon X3 sensor, 2.5-inch monitor, dust protector, built-in flash, CF support, USB 2.0 connectivity, AF-assist, maximum ISO of 1600, and "improved auto focus / continuous shooting." The (admittedly odd) DP1 sports a P&S enclosure, but manages to house the same superfluous 14 megapixel sensor seen in the SD14, Sigma's "True" image processor, 2.5-inch LCD, CF slot, a fixed 16.6mm F4.0 lens, and even touts RAW capability. Sigma boasts that its specially-designed Foveon X3 sensor captures colors more accurately than typical CMOS sensors thanks to its three separate color sensitive layers (and judging by the promo site, results aren't too shabby). Both models should be available soon, and while we're left to ponder how much coin the DP1 (photos after the break) will demand, there's no questioning the £1099.99 ($2,093) required for the SD14.

Read - Sigma SD14
Read - Sigma DP1