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Sigma DP1 14MP Digital Camera | 
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| Brand: Sigma
Category: Photography
List Price: $899.99
Buy New: $681.04
You Save: $218.95 (24%)
New (8) from $669.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  28 reviews
Media: Electronics
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Monitor Size: 250
Optical Zoom: 1
Digital Zoom: 3
Connectivity: AV
Display Size: 2.5
Maximum Focal Length: 16.6
Minimum Focal Length: 16.6
Maximum Resolution: 14
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 9.9 x 5.4 x 3.5
MPN: DP1
Model: DP1
UPC: 085126924997
EAN: 0085126924997
Release Date: March 18, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| 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) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product 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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 23 more reviews...
 Excellent image quality, disappointing handling April 8, 2008
58 out of 62 found this review helpful
The Sigma DP1 delivers on its promise of excellent image quality, but this is overshadowed by disappointing handling. The autofocus is simply too slow for a camera at this price, and it is made worse by the fact that the preview image freezes while focus is acquired. These problems combine to make it very difficult to focus and frame the image properly in dynamic situations.
Other issues are the rather slow write speed for RAW files...3 seconds, even with a SanDisk Extreme III card and the fact that it takes too many button presses to change the ISO.
If we can have dramatically better handling in compact SLRs at the same price-point, why can't the DP1 match that? (I know SLR's use a completely different focusing mechanism, so it may be hard for a compact to completely match their focus speed). But at a minimum, the DP1 should be at the top of the performance charts in every category when compared to other compacts. The fact that it's only average is disappointing.
I wanted to love the DP1, but I've returned mine. I think the real problem is Sigma's lack of experience with compacts. Please, Canon, Nikon, someone...take the sensor and image processing pipeline from one of your 1.5x crop compact SLR's and build us the DP1 we really want!
 Perfect for Urban and Personal Diary Photography March 30, 2008
52 out of 59 found this review helpful
If you are looking for a high end digital camera for street or personal diary work, this might be it. It's more expensive than other high end "point and shoots", but this is much more like a digital Leica M3, than a consumer level p+s. I mainly do fine art photography in urban settings, here's a link to a monograph of my latest work The Electric Image so you have an idea of the kind of shooting I do.
Start with the sensor, the Foveon 14 megapixel gives you color fidelity that other digital cameras can't touch. It's great to have this in such a small package. The camera is extremely compact and while you might think the 16.6mm fixed focus lens (28mm equiv. on 35mm camera) is limiting, it is perfect for urban street shooting. The lens quality is very good and the test shots I've taken so far look very promising.
Things I'd like to see; a larger buffer so you can keep shooting longer, a dedicated button on the rear of the camera for faster ISO changes, higher ISO up to 3200 even with all the noise, faster autofocus (though real street shooters always use manual prefocus anyway), a better grip, zero shutter lag -- an issue all digital cameras have and finally support in Lightroom and Photoshop RAW, which I would expect within the next three months or so.
Overall, a very good camera, fairly priced for what it is.
***Update*** I have now been using the camera for about a month. I still love it -- but it is really designed as a daylight street-shooter. I never take it out at night, the noise is too severe, but during the day, the color it produces is JUST GORGEOUS. Remember the first time you saw Kodachromes?? It's that kind of experience.
What could be better about this camera? First, the buffering needs to be improved. I can get a shot off every 2 seconds or so, which in a fast moving street scene means you get one chance for the shot. I wish the powerup was quicker and the lens was a stop faster. Of course, that would mean a fixed lens (that doesn't retract on poweroff), so the camera wouldn't be quite so portable, but I'd pay that price. Another issue is the Sigma supplied software to process RAW images, which takes a bit of getting used to. It's OK, but extremely slow and I'm looking forward to the day when I can use Lightroom, as I mentioned above.
One thing that is perfect about this camera is that it is SILENT. You can make hip-shots all day long without attracting one iota of attention. Kudos!
Beautiful wide angle compact digital camera April 5, 2008
22 out of 23 found this review helpful
I've had this camera only for a few days but I think I am going to love it. I am amazed at how much detail there is in each photograph, in terms of the color and tonal accuracy and the ability to crop in on very small regions of a photo and still get a decent sharp picture. The lens and sensor appear to be of very high quality. I have not found the F4 aperture to be a problem, and find that it produces quite acceptable noise levels at ISO 800. Previously, I was taking photos on a medium format camera, scanning the negatives, then working with Photoshop. This camera rivals what I can obtain from film, but is much more convenient to use. I would recommend it for anyone who likes working with high quality images, usually uses a wide angle lens, and appreciates a compact camera rather than a bulkier digital SLR. I would not recommmend it for the casual snapshotter, as this is not a tiny camera, it does not have a zoom lens, the pop-up flash is apparently limited, and there is a few second processing delay after each photo before you can shoot another picture. For the enthusiast who does landscape, urban setting, street photography, etc, it is awesome.
Best Image Quality among compacts by a very wide margin April 24, 2008
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
I've had the DP1 for a month now. I have taken around 1,600 shots with it.
The DP1 takes a little getting used to, just like any camera you use from a different manufacturer. This is not a negative. Once you learn the control system, you'll find it quite fast and intuitive.
Changing, ISO, Aperture, Shutter speed, EV, are all very quick and easy.
The LCD isn't as bright or as high res as some other cameras but it is quite usable. I took about 300 shots the other day at Niagara Falls in full sunlight and didn't have any major issues with it. I did have the
LCD set on high brightness.
AF speed: it is a little on the slow side. I believe this is due in part to the DP1's higher focus accuracy. There are several reports of AF accuracy being very good. I would agree.
Manual focus is a dream! If you are in MF, when you press the shutter, the shot is taken instantly. With a little practice, you capture those quick moments using MF.
Image Quality: Stunning; Ground Breaking; especially considering the size of the camera. ISO800 is very usable. On most other compact cameras, anything above ISO200 gets very grainy.
The terrific IQ is due to two key elements:
1.) The superb lens. Sigma has really outdone themselves with the lens. It has terrific sharpness and accuracy. It's quality is on par with professional-quality Digital SLR lenses.
2.) The Foveon Direct Image Sensor. www.foveon.com
On standard (Bayer) sensor cameras, 2/3 of the color data at each pixel site is estimated rather than measured. In the Foveon sensor, each of the pixel sites measures the full true color. There is no guesswork. This results in much sharper images with high dynamic range. Because of the higher quality of the image data, images from the DP1 can be upsized with better quality that standard digital camera output.
The final answer:
The Sigma DP1 is worth every penny.
It's a little quirky in a classic sort of way.
It's not perfect but very likable.
It is capable of truly stunning imagery. Isn't that what photography is all about?
If top image quality is at the top of your requirements then you will be delighted with the Sigma DP1.
ALMOST a perfect compact April 14, 2008
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
I have had this camera for 3 weeks now and have taken it on flights all over the Asia region - the form factor means it slips into my briefcase easily and is truly portable. The images taken in bright sunlight are truly STUNNING - clear, sharp and with fantastic color. The lens is especially good showing sharpness from edge to edge. The sensor obviously delivers smoothly graduated and vibrant color - the results speak for themselves. However it is not all good. The fixed lens while good is a little too wide for general use IMHO, so it forces some real discipline onto your photos. Maybe a 50mm would have been better. It is a little slow to focus and sometimes just seems to get confused into doing nothing - which is strange. The low light results actually seem quite pedestrian compared to the truly spectacular bright light results. Added to all of this, it seems that the "non-Bayer" sensor means that few RAW converters (in my case Apple Aperture)can work with the RAW files it makes - so you need to use the very odd SPP software that comes with the camera. So in summary I will use this when the light is good and the colors work well, and just work around it's limitations. I recommend this as an alternative to an SLR. The results is produces can be and are amazing, once you work within its capabilities.
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