Sigma SD15

The Sigma SD15 SLR provides high image quality and user friendly design. In addition, the durable shutter mechanism, which has a life of over 100,000 actuations, is ideal for the demands of digital photography.

The Foveon X3 direct image sensor featured in the Sigma SD15 digital SLR camera  captures all primary RGB colors at each and every pixel location, ensuring the capture of full and complete color. Using three silicon-embedded layers of photo detectors, stacked vertically to take advantage of silicon’s ability to absorb red, green and blue light at different respective depths, it efficiently reproduces color more accurately, and offers sharper resolution, pixel for pixel, than any conventional image sensor. Since color moiré is not generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not needed because full information of light and color can be captured with a three-dimensional feeling.

The Sigma SD15 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. The Sigma SD15 adopts the SD card (compatible with SDHC) which is also used with the DP series of Sigma cameras, improving convenience to users of both camera systems.

The Sigma SD15 is equipped with DDR II buffer memory which is twice as large in capacity as the SD14’s buffer. The camera’s high-speed image processing circuits are capable of handling the large data files generated by the high-resolution 14 megapixel sensor. The Sigma SD15 DSLR features a continuous shooting speed of 3 frames per second with up to 21 RAW Images that can be captured in continuous shooting mode. 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 SD15 SLR features a new 77-segment AE sensor which allows advanced AE algorithms, improving exposure accuracy. Exact control and collaboration with the AF point ensures the camera exposes accurately even in difficult lighting conditions.

The Sigma SD15 camera features a 3.0 inch TFT color LCD monitor. This 460,000 pixel resolution LCD monitor benefits from a wide viewing angle, making it easy to check focusing and composition. It is possible to review the captured images with a Contact-Sheet View (nine thumbnail images), Single-Image View or Zoomed-In View (it is possible to select the magnified area by using the 4-way controller). While reviewing images, it is possible to display the detailed shooting information such as shutter speed and F-value by pressing the INFO button. The improved user interface provides faster and more convenient operation of the camera. The Quick Set button activates the display of the most commonly used camera functions such as Color Mode, White Balance, Image Quality and Image Size on one screen. The 4-Way Controller ensures faster operation of these features. The FUNC button enables functions such as Flash Mode and Synchro Mode.

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In addition to the usual three frame bracketing, five frame bracketing has now been added to the Auto Bracketing function. It allows users to get a more detailed and accurate exposure. Two motor systems are driven by the mirror-drive and shutter charge which lowers the vibration of the mirror movement, preventing camera shake. The mirror lock-up mechanism raises the mirror, preventing vibration when the shutter is released. This prevents camera shake and is especially effective for macro photography or when using extremely long telephoto lenses. Use of the dedicated Remote Controller RS-31 (optional) also reduces the possibility of camera shake. The Sigma SD15 camera’s built-in flash offers an angle of coverage of 17mm (equivalent to 28mm with a 35mm camera) lens with a guide number of 11. The Built-in flash can be synchronized to a shutter speed up to 1/180 sec. Incorporation of S-TTL automatic exposure ensures the control of advanced flash photography.

TrustedReviews writes:
“Although the Foveon sensor technology certainly has potential, as it stands the SD15 is only an incremental upgrade from the three-year-old SD14 and can’t compete with the current range of consumer DSLR cameras. It is expensive, the design is bulky and heavy, it has relatively poor performance, and it simply doesn’t produce the kind of image quality to compare with its rivals, especially at higher ISO settings.”
Rating: ★★★½☆

PhotographyBlog writes:
“when it comes to said image quality the SD15’s performance is a bit of a mixed bag, although this time around our images didn’t suffer from as many odd colour casts and white balance issues straight out of the camera as previous generation SD models. So a step in the right direction at least, especially if you avoid the higher ISOs.”
Rating: ★★★☆☆

TechRadar writes:
“Some might see the Foveon X3 sensor as the SD15’s weak point, but it isn’t. It produces small files, true, but they have such astonishing clarity and sharpness that they’re a fair match for any regular APS-C format D-SLR”
Rating: ★★★☆☆

MacWorld writes:
“the advantage here is that the SD15 is compatible with over 40 lenses, plus numerous flashguns, remotes and adaptors. Probably the best audience for the SD15 is the fine-art photographer happy to lend their images a different look and feel to stand apart from the crowd, and who will enjoy tweaking their exposures in Photoshop to the nth degree.”
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Specifications:

Sensor:
• FOVEON  X3(R) Direct Image Sensor (CMOS)
• 20.7 x 13.8 mm Foveon CMOS sensor
• Direct image sensor
• 14.06 million effective pixels (4.69 million x 3)

Image sizes:
• JPEG: 2640 x 1760 pixels (High)
• JPEG: 2640 x 1485 pixels (16:9)
• JPEG: 1872 x 1248 pixels (Medium)
• JPEG: 1312 x 880 pixels (Low)
• RAW: 2640 x 1760 pixels

File formats:
• RAW （12-bit)
• JPEG (Three quality levels, Exif 2.21)

Lens mount:
• Sigma SA bayonet mount

Image stabilization:
• No

Auto Focus:
• TTL phase difference detection system

AF area modes:
• AF point selection (out of 5 points)

Metering:
• Evaluative Metering
• Center-Weighted Average Metering
• Spot metering

ISO sensitivity:
• Auto (100-200)
• Auto with flash (100-400)
• 100
• 200
• 400
• 800
• 1600
• (50 and 3200 with extended mode)

Exposure compensation:
• +/- 3EV
• 1/3 EV steps

Exposure bracketing:
• 1/3EV stop increments up to ±3EV
• 3 frames

Shutter speed:
• 30sec – 1/4000 sec
• 2 mins – 1/4000 sec in extended mode

Modes:
• [P]Program AE
• [S]Shutter Priority AE
• [A]Aperture Priority AE
• [M] Manual

White balance:
• Auto
• Sunlight
• Shade
• Overcast
• Incandescent
• Fluorescent
• Flash
• Custom

Self timer:
• 10 or 2 secs

Continuous shooting:
• 3 frames per second

Flash:
• Pop-up (Manual)
• Guide number:11
• Forced on
• Red-eye Reduction
• Slow Sync.
• Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction
• Flash exposure compensation
• External flash with hot shoe

Viewfinder:
• Pentaprism
• 98% coverage
• 0.9x magnification

LCD monitor:
• 3.0″ TFT LCD Display
• 460K dots

Connectivity:
• USB 2.0
• AV Output (NTSC/PAL)
• DC Input

Storage:
• SD Memory Card
• SDHC Memory Card
• MultiMedia Card

Power:
• Li-ion Battery BP-21
• Battery Charger BC-21
• optional AC Adapter
• Approx.250 shots capacity

Weight (excl batt):
• 680g / 24oz

Dimensions:
• 114mm/5.7″(W) x 107.3mm/4.2″(H) x 80.5mm/3.2″(D)