List Price: $940.00
Sale Price: $650.11
Today's Bonus: 31% Off
Sigma DP series are unique because it is the first compact camera that utilize a large sensor size equivalent to Digital SLR camera. It is also unique because it use Foveon sensor instead of more popular CMOS / CCD sensor. So far, only Sigma uses this type of sensor. Sigma uses it on compact DP series (DP1, DP2) and DSLR like SD series (SD10, SD 14, and upcoming SD15).
Foveon sensor has different characteristic than regular sensor, which I will discuss a bit on image quality section.
So, what is new about DP2s? Sigma DP2s is an update of DP2, so it has many similarities like the image sensor, shape etc. The main improvement is in the processing speed. DP2s use TRUE II engine which Sigma claims to be faster than TRUE I which is employed in DP1.
Main Specs
14 MP Foveon sensor
24.2 mm f/2.8 lens equivalent to 41mm in 35mm camera.
True II processor
2.5' LCD screen, 230k resolution
ISO 100-800 expandable to 3200
3 fps continuous shooting
9 selectable auto focus points
BODY & HANDLING
Sigma Dp2s weighs 260g, and its dimension is 4.4 x 2.4 x 2.0 in. (113 x 60 x 50 mm). It is just a bit bigger than Panasonic LX3, an advanced compact camera, and smaller than Panasonic GF1, a micro four thirds camera.
Sigma DP2s has metal casing. The design is plain and boxy, at a glance, it is almost similar to Canon S90 IS but larger in size due to the bigger sensor and lens.
Despite the plain and boxy design, it is good to hold and does not attract attention. When it is on, the lens will extend out around 1 inch.
Sigma DP2, the former model has been criticized quite heavily because of the unclear labeling (dark text in black button). In Sigma DP2s, the labeling become clear (white / red in black body).
LCD screen is quite small compared to today standard (2.5' in) and low res (230k) but it is good enough to compose picture.
To change important setting, Sigma has QS (Quick Set) button which you can access various important settings such as ISO, WB, Release mode, film mode, image quality, aspect ratio, metering and flash. It is not the quickest way especially if you compare with DSLR or m43 cameras that has plenty of dedicated buttons, but this works fine.
To change aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation and to navigate the menu, you will rely mostly on up and down button and four way buttons.
Menu system is quite simple, there are 21 items that you can modify. However, the menu is not categorized.
Sigma also has unique Manual Focus with distance indicator. This is helpful for manual focus, and you will use it quite a bit because DP2s AF is not working very good when shooting close subjects. MF is easy to operate, just push the OK button to magnify the screen.
IMAGE QUALITY
As I mentioned before, Sigma DP series is unique because of the Foveon sensor.
"Traditional color film uses red, green, and blue sensitive color layers in the emulsion to capture the image. The Foveon uses the same approach to image capture with three overlapping layers of light gathering, with each layer sensitive to a different color." AnandTech.
This has several consequences. Sigma produces smaller image size (2652×1768×3 layers) (approx 4 MB) compared to popular Nikon D90 12 MP sensor (4288 x 2848). Sigma also has more noise in higher ISO setting. From ISO 50 to 200, image is very clean. ISO 400 is very good and ISO 800 is the limit of acceptable image. In Nikon D90 or other DSLR, 1600 or even 3200 is still very good.
However, in term of image quality: clarity, color, and sharpness, Sigma DP2s really shines. It is excellent in pixel level, good contrast and saturation. I like the skin color, and the JPG output require less brightness/contrast adjustment compared to most DSLR I've tried.
PERFORMANCE
To process image from Foveon sensor require good processor. And this is what Sigma lacks in previous DP cameras (DP1 and DP2). This is made worse because Sigma is not a strong electronic company like Sony or Samsung. Therefore, processing image and general performance of DP1 and DP2 is slower.
However, Sigma uses new processing engine called TRUE II, which I think improves the overall camera performance significantly. I say "significantly" because I haven't tried the previous generation.
For me, DP2s performance is very good compared to compact cameras. It starts up and shut down reasonably fast (around one to two seconds). Auto focus speed is quite slow but bearable at around .5 to 1 second. When shooting close subjects, auto focus regularly won't work well.
Overall, the performance of Sigma DP2 is about a bit below average compared to compact cameras. However, it has been improved significantly from previous series, which could be a lot worse (according to critics).
What to like about Sigma DP2
+ Image quality (color, crispness in detail, sharpness) is excellent in low ISO
+ Sharp and popular 41mm (normal) equivalent lens with reasonably fast lens f/2.8
+ JPG output requires less post processing adjustment
+ Solid built quality with boxy inconspicuous design
+ Simple user interface and Quick Menu
What I don't like about Sigma DP2
Auto focus performance could be a bit faster
Auto focus won't work well especially for close subject
LCD screen freeze when shutter is half pressed for AF
Poor image quality at ISO 1600 and 3200 and it is only available when you shoot in RAW
When shooting in long exposure, the processing become longer than usual. It could takes up to 4-5 seconds.
Long exposure is limited to 15 seconds
COMPETITORS
Leica X1 12.2MP APS-C CMOS Digital Camera Price: $1995
Leica employ 24mm f/2.8 lens (equiv. 35mm), an APS-C sized sensor (equal to DSLR camera) and no nonsense classic interface design, including dedicated shutter speed and aperture dials with excellent built and "Leica feel."
Ricoh GXR Interchangeable Unit Body with Ricoh LENS A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO Camera Unit, 12 Megapixel $1080
Ricoh GXR is an unique interchangeable lens/sensor (lensor). Ricoh GXR A12 also use 12 MP CMOS sensor that you will find in DSLR cameras. Ricoh cameras are famous for its user interface.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 12.1MP Micro Four-Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Lens $800
Panasonic GF1 is a compact interchangeable camera that use four third sensors. It is smaller than CMOS or FOVEON. GF1 is more responsive. It has leading auto focus performance and wide array of lenses.
CONCLUSION
If you choose Sigma DP2s, it should be because of its image quality. Because the overall performance (speed) is not that great, DP2s is suited for people who is more deliberative in making photos and less suitable for fast action photography.
Subjective Rating Relative to mirrorless camera and compact with large sensor 2010
Image Quality : 6/5 Excellent quality
Features : 2/5
Performance : 3/5
Body and Handling : 3/5
Value for Money : 3/5
For image samples and iso comparison plus other reviews, please visit my blog. You can find the address through my profile page. Thank you for reading.
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