Sigma DP2s

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: