Sigma dp2 Quattro Digital Camera
Model: C81900
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Viewfinder/Display
Screen | 3" LCD (920,000 pixels) |
Power
AC Power Adapter | SAC-6 (Optional) |
Battery | 1x BP-51 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack |
Physical
Dimensions (WxHxD) | 6.4 x 2.6 x 3.2" / 16.3 x 6.6 x 8.1 cm |
Weight | 13.93 oz / 395 g |
Optics
Lens | 8 elements in 6 groups EFL: 30 mm (35 mm equivalent: 45 mm) Aperture: f/2.8 to f/16 |
Filter Thread | 58 mm |
Focus Range | Normal: 11.02" (28 cm) - Infinity |
Memory
Memory Card Type | SDXC SDHC SD |
Imaging
Pixels | Actual: 33 Megapixel Effective: 29 Megapixel |
Sensor | APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm) Foveon |
Bit Depth | 14-bit |
File Formats | Still Images: JPEG, RAW |
Max Resolution | 5424 x 3616 |
Flash
Built-in Flash | No |
External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
Exposure Control
White Balance Modes | Auto, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Overcast, Shade |
Interval Recording | Yes |
Self Timer | 10 Sec, 2 Sec |
ISO Sensitivity | 100-6400 |
Exposure Modes | Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority Compensation: -3 EV to +3 EV (in 1/3 EV steps) |
Exposure Metering | Center-weighted, Evaluative, Spot |
Shutter | 30 - 1/2000 sec |
Connectivity/System Requirements
Wi-Fi | None |
The Sigma DP2 Merrill is dedicated to Dick Merrill (1949-2008), a photographer and engineer who developed/invented the Foveon sensor technology. The camera is based on former DP compact Sigma cameras, but uses the newest generation of the Foveon X3 sensor.
The Sigma DP2 Merrill will blow you away with excellent image quality from low ISOs, but this comes with a steep price tag and a few major shortcomings.
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Tremendous still image quality at and below ISO 400, Great color, Optically excellent lens
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Narrow useable ISO range, Poor battery life, Cost, RAW support via only Sigma software currently, AF a bit slower than most current digital cameras
In a radical departure compared to the boxy shape of its Merrill predecessor, the Sigma dp2 Quattro's strange, elongated design might scare away some at first, but it's quite comfortable after you try it for a while.
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Phenomenal detail and "depth" at low ISOs; Extremely high resolution; Incredible image quality for the price and size (at low ISOs); Fast x-sync speeds; Unique design is unconventional but comfortable and balanced.
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Poor high ISO performance; Very sluggish buffer clearing; Poor low-light AF; No built-in flash; Very limited third-party RAW file support; Bundled Sigma Photo Pro RAW software is slow and buggy.
The compact Sigma DP2 produces extraordinary D-SLR-quality images, but its steep price and laundry list of drawbacks probably won't please the average photographer. Enthusiasts, on the other hand, are likely to flip for this camera.
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Beautiful D-SLR-quality images. Smaller build than a D-SLR. Fast, high-quality f/2.8 lens. Unique Foveon X3 image processor.
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No optical zoom. Lens is not interchangeable. No face detection. Noticeable shutter lag. Low still image and video resolutions. Small LCD. ISO 1600 and 3200 are only available when shooting in RAW format. Noticeable noise above ISO 1600.
The Sigma DP2 doesn't really live up to the promise of its Foveon sensor, but it does excel for shooting in black and white photos.
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Excellent characteristics for shooting in black and white; compact; nice manual controls.
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Slow AF system; short battery life; stiff shutter button; some interface annoyances; occasional lockups; poor white balance; overly blue LCD screen; poor video capture.
The DP1 was a difficult camera to review - resolutely niche in its outlook, it was a brave, if not wholly successful, attempt to do something that no large manufacturer seemed willing to risk.
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Excellent levels of detail in ISO 100 images (irrespective of pixel count), Dynamic range comparable with its peers, Good lens with only minimal distortion and little chromatic aberration, Attractive minimalist styling, Good build quality, Greatly improved user interface (though still has its...
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Sluggish performance, Desaturated and 'flat' JPEG output, Unreliable White Balance, Green and magenta tints to parts of many images, Continuous mode only allows four shots per burst (three in RAW), Auto Focus struggles in low light (and there is no AF help light), Image quality drops sharply above...
By Michael Reichmann & Kevin RaberIn late July Kevin lead a photographic expedition to the Norwegian Arctic. He had just received the Quattro DP2 for testing and it because his "always handy" camera, while he did his main wildlife and landscape shooting with a Nikon D800 outfit.
You've heard of "advanced compact" cameras-those pocketable powerhouses that shoot RAW, sport hot-shoes, and give you much more control than typical point-and-shoots.
Sigma's cameras won't suit snapshooters and many basic photo enthusiasts will find them difficult to accept, given their very extensive limitations. The DP2 Quattro is very much a niche camera – that operates in a rather small niche.
In the early days of digital photography, camera manufacturers experimented with all sorts of different body designs. Some disappeared without trace, but others became seen as modern classics, perhaps most notably Nikon’s split-body Coolpix models of the early 2000s.
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Exceptional low-ISO image quality
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Poor quality at ISO 1600 and above, Uncomfortable hand grip, Bulky, awkward body shape
I'm not sure about Sigma's claim that this camera is 29 megapixels. It puts out a file that is 5424 x 3616 = 19.6 megapixels. But that's 19.6 very high resolving megapixels. It punches way above its weight, leaving my Canon 5D Mark2 w/24-70II in the dust for resolving detail. The lens is stellar.
Camera Body and Screen First thing that strikes you is this is a small dense camera. It is beautifully built and feels like a step up from cameras of a similar size such as the Panasonic GF1. It's all metal besides the controls and lens casing, and feels solid and cool to the touch.
This camera is for people who want a pocket size camera but with DSLR or EVIL camera resolution. Overall, it is best for outdoor, sunny scene shooting and please locked at ISO100 for shots.
I was looking for something different, i've been a canon shooter for a long time. I wanted something small for travel, and something off the beaten path. I've enjoyed this camera in the 2+ months i've had it. the learning curve was short and not steep.
I bought this camera due to a short price reduction. What reviewers say about this camera is true - It is quirky (slow and questionable from an ergonomic standpoint) and the software, which allows the editing of RAW files, isn't too good. That said, it is saved by the image quality.
- 29MP Foveon X3 Quattro CMOS Image Sensor
- TRUE III Image Processing Engine
- 30mm f/2.8 Lens (35mm Equivalent: 45mm)
- 3.0" 920k-dot TFT LCD Screen
- ISO Range: 100-6400 in 1/3 Steps
- RAW Image Capture
- Max RAW Resolution of 5,424 x 3,616
- Contrast Detection Autofocus
- Manual Focus Ring
- P/S/A/M Exposure Control
Average Expert Score
Average User Score
- Sigma dp2 Quattro Digital Camera
- 2 x BP-51 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
- BC-51 Battery Charger
- Battery Charger Cable
- Battery Case
- Strap
- Lens Cap
- Hot Shoe Cover
- USB Cable
- Limited 1-Year Warranty