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We clicked with:
Decent lens quality
User-controlled pop up flash
Shots in the dark:
14 megapixel sensor effectively only produces 4.7 megapixel image sizes
Image quality lacks considering the technology
Extensive shutter lag
Expensive
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The words 'pro' and 'compact' tend not to be found nestled together in the same sentence - but why not? The Sigma DP1 attempts to break down some conventional barriers by taking what is a seemingly standard compact and pumping a great big 14.1 megapixel DSLR-sized sensor in the body. Some may say it's a bold move; others significant - no other manufacturer has quite pushed into this territory before. Closest competition comes in the form of the Ricoh GR Digital II or the Canon G9.
The Camera:
The Sigma DP1 certainly looks to fill a gap - and it's clear from the word go that the priority (and sell point) revolves around using the same Fovean X3 sensor from Sigma's SD14 DSLR in the DP1. Whilst touted as a 14.1megapixel sensor, it's one of those “sort of is, sort of isn't” situations as per the FujiFilm Finepix S5. In the case of the DP1 three lots of 4.7 megapixel layers deal with colour capture independently - one layer for Red, one for Green and the other for Blue (to make up a final RGB image).
Given the much larger physical sensor size and the fact there's fewer pixels per layer means that lots of light can reach each sensor node, thus resulting in a higher quality image and improved dynamic range. Sounds clever, but doesn't retract from the fact that final capture can only ever be an effective 4.7megapixels (2652x1768 pixels on screen). That's not 14.1megapixels, not by a long shot…
Whilst that's fair, function over form prevails; the design team seem to have taken a back seat at the very best. The Sigma DP1 is a bulky brute of a design; all boxes and corners. Whilst this may be forgiven, it's hard to get over given that the rest of the camera has its shortcomings - on a simple level the rear buttons aren't fully marked, merely being inscribed. Reading black on black in low light is a bit of a trick. Whilst the Romans were innovative enough to invent serifs, Sigma seem to have overlooked even simple user-friendly fare. In-camera user menus aren't much better either as important controls such as ISO sensitivity are tucked away in a big list, it's a surprise that there's not a quick-access button with assignable controls (as per Ricoh's GR DIGITAL II).
The lens is a fixed 28mm (in 35mm equivalent) prime lens - there's optional digital zoom in stages, but this isn't hugely useful given you are effectively cropping an already small 4.7megapixel image. Having a fixed lens means you can expect great quality, but for a wide angle lens to cover a DSLR-sized sensor requires quite some physical size and distance (see Sensors - does size and type matter?), which almost defeats the very notion of “compact”. Aperture range runs from a respectable f4 to f11, and whilst squeezing an extra few stops in for f2.8 may well have made for a truly special bit of kit, the implications of physical camera size increase would equally undo that proposition in equal measure.
Caption: Not quite a Van Gogh, but the f4 lens comes into play here
Another plus side is the battery - it's a right trooper. After 300 images, many with flash, a chunk of video testing and plenty of image viewing and deleting, the DP1 showed no signs of surrender.
The Sigma DP1 has a fairly limited features list. There's no macro mode, with the nearest focal distance being 30cms from the lens (put into perspective the Ricoh GR DIGITAL II can focus 2cms away from the lens). When working at such a distance manual focus needs to be used, which is controlled by a turnwheel on the back of the camera. It's a really nice feature that's only let down by the relatively small 2.5” LCD screen - again with 230,000 pixels it's relatively low resolution for what should be of a more 'pro-grade' calibre.
Shutter lag and processing times are a huge issue with the Sigma DP1. Any shot - even a basic quality jpeg - takes over a second to process. That's no exaggeration either. Whilst we can't afford the scientific pin-point-accuracy of services from Timex, we can work with a simple stopwatch old skool style (which is enough to verify, and more to the point anything even near a full second is far too long by todays' standards). There's a continuous shooting mode that can snap up to three frames in succession (not per second), but it's rarely of use and tends to render a series of blurred images.
The Images:
ISO sensitivity is a paltry 100-800, and given the current upping of sensitivity and quality from any and all serious manufacturers, it's a real surprise to not see Sigma push to at least a decent ISO 1600, if not 3200. In saying that, however, it would be rather pointless in the current state - the DP1's images (particularly in JPEG) start to noise-up around the ISO400 mark, and ISO800 isn't good. In fact, considering the size of the sensor and the technology at hand, it's poor.
The Foveon sensor should lend itself well to fairly noise-free images, but by and large this isn't the case. ISO 100-200 are great. But beyond this, and it's not good. Jpeg processing is poor (noisy with desaturated colours), whereas RAW equivalents are decent. A big shame to not be able to shoot both simultaneously too.
Processing images is actually a rather joyous fare, as the included software is a decent and swift RAW processor.
Caption: The software is a pleasure to use
The Sigma DP1 is really all about the lens. Sharp and crisp, with relatively low chromatic aberration making for good images. Barrel distortion also achieves highly, especially considering when working at such a wide angle.
Caption: Barrel distortion is to an absolute minimum considering the wide angle lens
Conclusion
The Sigma DP1 aims to fill a gap, but most pros or high end enthusiasts may end up disappointed. On paper it all makes sense - take a compact body, add a big sensor, a prime lens and manual controls. Simple. In practice - the body's not that small, the sensor underperforms in terms of noise and output size, the manual controls would benefit from tweaks and some other user-friendly innovation. The adding of a macro mode, greater screen resolution and improved manual focus (allowing you to scroll around image to select focus area) should all be present but aren't. That's not to mention the £550 price tag.
The 28mm prime lens is the saviour of the package - you can and will get good images from the Sigma DP1. However, they should be better and a greater range should be achievable. Were the (hypothetical) Sigma DP2 released tomorrow with all the various shortcomings resolved, it would succeed in filling the gap the DP1 aims to fill. But as it stands, realistically, too little too late just doesn't bode well in such a fast moving market.
**Ease of use is low due to shutter lag, it's really frustrating. But the camera is easy to use.
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Sensor
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14.1 megapixel Fovean X3 sensor (3x 4.7megapixels)
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LCD monitor
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2.5” 230,000 pixels
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Sensitivity
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ISO 100-800
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Auto Focus Points
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9 point
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White balance
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Auto, 7 settings
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On board flash
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User controlled pop up, GN 6
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Shutter speed and flash sync
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1/2000 - 15seconds
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Continuous shooting
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3 frames continuous (not per second)
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Storage
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SD / SDHC
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Battery
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Li-ion BP-31 rechargeable battery
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Other / Key features
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12 bit RAW capture
28mm (equiv) f4 lens
320x240px movie mode
Manual control
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Optional Accessories
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External flash EF-140 DG
Viewfinder VF-11
Hood adapter HA-11
AC adapter SAC-3
Close-up lens converter AML-1
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