The size of the image sensor used in the Sigma DP1 camera is 20.7mm x 13.8mm. It is approximately seven to twelve times larger than the 1/1.8inch to 1/2.5inch image sensors used in ordinary compact digital cameras. The pixel size of the image sensor is 7.8μm. The large photodiodes deployed at a large pixel pitch capture pure, rich light efficiently and give the Sigma DP1 its high resolution and richly-graduated tones. The Sigma DP1 uses the same 14 megapixel (2652x1768x3 layers）direct image sensor as the SD14. Utilizing the special features of silicon, which is penetrated to different depths by different wavelengths of light, this direct image sensor succeeds in full-color capture with the full RGB in a single-pixel location. Just like film, each photodiode captures all the RGB data, so no final-stage demosaicing is required.

The Sigma DP1 is equipped with a 16.6mm F4 lens, equivalent to 28mm on a 35mm SLR camera, which has been designed exclusively for Sigma DP1. The large-diameter of aspherical glass provides low distortion and high contrast images. It also offers superior peripheral brightness. The super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. It allows photographers to take pictures in difficult light conditions. This lens and SLR-sized image sensor provides natural shallow depth-of-field.

The Sigma DP1 incorporates “TRUE” (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine), the world’s first image processing engine suited for Foveon three silicon embedded layer direct image sensor. The unique image processing algorithm, which has been developed throughout the development of the SD9, SD10 and SD14 cameras, is incorporated into “TRUE”. It enables high-speed image processing and high image quality.

The Sigma DP1 includes JPEG recording format for convenience plus a RAW data (X3F) recording mode for retaining full image capture detail of the utmost quality. The RAW data format provides pure data for high-resolution images, and uses lossless compression for more compact, yet uncompromised, data files. The RAW data format of the Sigma DP1 keeps brightness and color data in a 1:1 ratio without relying on interpolation. Each pixel location captures the full color of RGB data, so in RAW, X3F files, brightness and color data can be kept in a 1:1 ratio without relying on interpolation. When the image is processed in Sigma Photo Pro, it will preserve the balance of the natural data for the best photos with the best image quality.

Shutterbug writes:
“the DP1 produced superb JPEG quality at ISO 100, with the definition of intricate detail expected from an 8-megapixel D-SLR. In raw photos made at ISO 100 to 400—and converted with the Large TIFF option—the quality is similar to what I expect from a 10-megapixel D-SLR.”
Rating: ★★★★☆

CNET.UK writes:
“The DP1’s images have a clarity and a quality that conventional sensors can’t match, so it punches well above its apparent weight. The fixed focal-length lens isn’t a problem, either, for those who long for a return to simpler cameras. The DP1’s real weakness, though is its operational speed. It’s simply too slow.”
Rating: ★★★★☆

PhotographyReview writes:
“The Sigma DP1 is best suited to wide-angle photographers who value image quality and aesthetics as the primary photographic attributes. Whether these are landscape photographers or street photographers may not really be the question.”
Rating: ★★★½☆

ImagingResource writes:
“It’s hard to discount the smooth beauty of the DP1’s output, thanks to both the well-designed Sigma lens and the refined output of the Foveon X3 sensor. But the slow autofocus, difficult interface, and slow post-processing required to achieve that excellence is hard to ignore.”
Rating: N/A

OutbackPhoto writes:
“Photos at ISO 100-200 are just fine. At ISO 400 it gets more grainy and also the Photo Pro software desaturates the images (result of color noise removal we guess). ISO 800 may still produce nice B&W images.”
Rating: N/A

LuminousLandscape writes:
“The raw image quality of the Sigma DP1 is excellent – truly far and away superior to that of any digicam that i have yet seen or used. Given that the camera uses an almost APS-C sized sensor this should not be all that surprising.”
Rating: N/A

Our Rating ****~ (4/5)

Good: Good image quality, bags of detail, robust all-metal design, improved AF system, lens, powerful RAW processor included

Bad: Limited sensitivity range, price, no optical viewfinder, underpowered flash, muted colour, quirky menu controls, sluggish handling

The new Sigma DP2s is a compact digital camera featuring a 14 megapixel FOVEON X3® direct image sensor.

The Sigma DP2s is the successor to the DP2 which was introduced to market in April 2009 and incorporates a new AF algorithm, a Power Save Mode and a new rear design.  The new AF algorithm provides high speed auto focusing, ensuring convenient shooting.  The Power Save Mode lowers the battery consumption. When this mode is enabled, a greater number of pictures can be taken with a single charge of the battery.   The new rear design aids quick recognition of the controls. The addition of red markings has been used to enable easier operation of the cameras controls.

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The latest RAW image processing software, “SIGMA Photo Pro4.0″, is supplied with the DP2s and makes processing RAW images quick and easy.  Version 4.0 has a superior image processing algorithm and improved compatibility with multi core CPU’s.  It provides better image processing speed and improved image quality.  Incorporation of a new noise reduction algorithm reduces Chroma and Luminance noise when processing X3F files taken at ISO400 or more.  It is possible to adjust the level of reduction for noise just by moving the slider in the control pallet.  With the Macintosh version, functions such as JPEG conversion and batch white balance settings, which were previously incorporated into Windows versions, have been added.  In addition, the print function and the display speed for the review window and thumbnails have also been improved.

Photoreview reviews the Sigma DP2s and writes:
“Lateral chromatic aberration ranged from negligible to the lower end of the ‘low’ range across the aperture range of the lens. Interestingly, JPEG files produced lower CA than raw files indicating some in-processing takes place. Distortion was negligible and vignetting was barely visible. Bokeh was acceptable for the focal length of the lens and sensor area. Contre-jour shots could be flare-affected but fitting the lens hood significantly reduced the incidence of flare.”
Rating: ★★★★☆

Pocket-lint reviews the Sigma DP2s and writes:
“The superbly sharp and distortion free lens combined with a direct image X3 sensor capable of capturing a stunning amount of detail means that while this camera may not be for everyone, has a few slight issues and looks quite pricey, those that do love it will be able to make it sing, particularly when shooting RAW.”
Rating: ★★★★☆

CNET.uk reviews the Sigma DP2s and writes:
“The Sigma DP2s’ Foveon X3 sensor is great — it’s the camera itself that’s the weak point. The Spartan controls are excellent but the LCD display is nowhere near good enough for this class of camera, and the AF and image-processing speeds need to be much faster to compete with current hybrids.”
Rating: ★★★☆☆

NeutralDay reviews the Sigma DP2s and writes:
“The Sigma DP2s’ low light performance is overall about average. Noise is readily apparent at ISO 800, but thankfully looks pretty “film-like” and cleans up nicely if desired in either Sigma’s Photo Pro 4.0 (now with noise removal) or your photo editor of choice. In RAW the DP2s can go all the way up to ISO 3200, but the results are not great, blotchiness, color shifts, and loss of saturation are all taking quite a toll. On the flipside, the DP2s is a really nice camera to do black and white work with, and these results, even at ISO 1600 make for some nice photographs.”
Rating: ★★★★☆

Sigma DP2s specifications:

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The Sigma DP1x uses the same 14 megapixel (2,652×1,768×3 layers) direct image sensor as the SD14, SD15 and other DP series cameras. Utilizing the special features of silicon, which is penetrated to different depths by different wavelengths of light, this direct image sensor succeeds in full-color capture with the full RGB in a single-pixel location. Since the moire is not generated, use of a low-pass filter is not needed because full information of light and color can be captured with three-dimensional feeling. The Sigma DP1x digital camera incorporates the “TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II” image processing engine which improves the processing speed and overall image quality. The unique image-processing algorithm provides high resolution power and reproduces high definition images with richly graduated tones.

AFE (Analog Front End) converts the color data, which full-color capture systems record, to a digital signal. This enables the camera to reproduce high definition and richly colored images. The Sigma DP1x’s integral 16.6mm F4 lens (equivalent to 28mm on a 35mm film camera) is built to the same design as the DP1′s and produces the same outstanding image quality. The large-diameter of aspherical glass provides low distortion and high contrast images. It also offers superior peripheral brightness. The super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. It allows photographers to take pictures in difficult light conditions. This lens and SLR-sized image sensor provides natural shallow depth-of-field.

The Sigma DP1x features the QS (Quick Set) menu, designed to allow users to quickly access and change the most commonly used camera functions. It is possible to display the QS menu by pressing the QS button. QS menu 1 allows users to change the ISO Setting, White Balance, Flash mode and Metering mode and QS menu 2 gives access to Image Size, Color Mode, Image Quality and Drive Mode. The Sigma DP1x is equipped with a pop up (manual) built-in flash. It is possible to use Normal Flash, Red-Eye Reduction Flash and Slow Synchro Mode. It also features flash exposure compensation in 1/3 stops increments.

Our Rating ***~~ (3/5)

Good: Excellent characteristics for shooting in black and white; compact; nice manual controls.

Bad: Slow AF system; short battery life; stiff shutter button; some interface annoyances; occasional lockups; poor white balance; overly blue LCD screen; poor video capture.

TechRadar writes:
“The autofocus system is rather less impressive. It’s not that quick, and it’s pretty noisy, too. The manual focus dial makes up for it, though. It’s quick to use and the distance markings are clear.”
Rating:

NeutralDay writes:
“This is not a camera for beginners, for the photographer who prefers more dynamic subjects, or for those on a tight budget. If however, you are a photographer who places a premium on image quality and prefers full creative control over his or her camera, all in a tidy compact form, I highly recommend the Sigma DP2.”
Rating:

Pocket-Lint writes:
“we wouldn’t recommend anyone bought a Sigma DP2 as their one and only digital camera; it works best when viewed as a compact back-up to an existing DSLR, or an experimental supplement to a more fully-featured, user-friendly digital compact.”
Rating:

PhotographyBlog writes:
“Chromatic aberrations like purple and green-fringing, typically a problem in this class of camera, are simply non-existent on the DP2, testament to the excellent prime lens, which is also the reason for the almost complete lack of pincushion or barrel distortion, and the maximum aperture of f/2.8 is a very welcome improvement on the DP1″
Rating:

PDN writes:
“AI’m afraid the DP2 has too many liabilities for me to recommend it. If you’re still interested in finding out what all the fuss is about with this technology, seek out the lower-priced, wider-angled Sigma DP1 instead.”
Rating: N/A

Samples:

- Sample Photos @ PhotographyBlog

- Sample Photos @ CNET

- Sample Photos @ TrustedReviews

PCmag writes:
“Overall, outside the lab, I saw excellent results—the experience of capturing D-SLR quality images without lugging around a bulky D-SLR was a pleasure. Despite low sharpness scores in the photography lab, images shot outdoors in good lighting conditions looked crisp and brilliant. The colors created by the Foveon X3 processor didn’t seem to produce anything that could not be replicated by a pricier Canon T1i or Nikon D5000, but definitely rivaled them (below ISO 1600)”
Rating:

CNET.uk writes:
“The Sigma DP2 is a camera for the cognoscenti, not beginners. It’s not without its downsides, but it offers a fantastic build, great design, excellent manual controls, and a level of clarity that belies its apparently modest resolution, thanks to its Foveon X3 sensor”
Rating:

PCWorld writes:
“The cameras’ shadow detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy are all top notch, but bump the ISO up to 800 and the images start to get overly noisy. The amount of noise isn’t terrible, but it’s not up to par with SLRs, most of which can shoot at ISO 800 and produce very clean files. “
Rating:

MacWorld writes:

“The Sigma DP1 and DP2 produce the most outstanding low ISO (100 to 400) images of any compact camera I have ever used. Their image quality is truly on the same scale as entry-level SLRs. You get sharp, accurate colors, wonderful tonality, and the ability to isolate your subject with shallow depth of field—all in a package that resembles a rangefinder and slips into a jacket pocket when turned off. “
Rating:

NeutralDay  writes:
“it’s safe to say that it does take pictures just as good (or very nearly so) as an even more expensive DSLR camera.”

TrustedReviews writes:
“While images at ISO 1600 may be usable in some instances, I for one would not want to shoot above ISO 800, unless it was absolutely necessary, and ideally, I wouldn’t want to stray above ISO 400…. you really do have to want it, and know how to use it to get the best from it. For most people, I suspect, that it comes as too a high a price to pay. ”
Rating:

Gizmodo writes:
“As much as I’d like to say it’s a great camera for photographically inclined people to stash somewhere for certain situations, it’s too damn expensive. It costs around $650 street price; for that money you can probably get a clearance-model DSLR model these days, maybe even with a kit lens..”
Rating: N/A

TOP writes:
“After using the DP2 daily for over a week I found it to be a sluggish, noisy, unreliable, and generally charmless device which I ultimately decided to return for a refund. That’s the bottom line of my opinion.”
Rating: N/A

PhotoReview.au writes:
“Low-light performance was only marginally better than we found with the DP1, with a severe loss of colour in long exposures that was reflected in both JPEG and raw files. Noise and colour shifts became increasingly obvious from ISO 400″
Rating:

Specifications:

Audio
Built-in microphone: Yes

Battery
Battery type(s): Lithium ion
Battery Charger: AC Adapter

Camera
Optical sensor: CMOS
Megapixels: 14.06 megapixels
White balance: Automatic, Custom, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Shade, Flash, Sun, Overcast
LCD display size: 2.5 inch
Flash type: Pop-up
Focal length: 24.2mm F2.8 (35mm equivalent focal length: 41mm)

General
Camera Type: Digital compact
Dimensions (H x W x D): 59.5 x 113.3 x 56.06 mm
Weight: 260 g

Storage
Storage type(s): MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital Card
Internal memory: MB