Sigma DP1x
I recently came across this camera for an extremely affordable price and decided, based on its almost cult status being capable of capturing superb images, to snap it up (sorry for the pun).
I was interested in discovering if it produced the kind of world class images it was purported to be capable of and also whether the frustrating elements of the camera – slow to operate, slow write times, slow autofocus and write to card, poor high iso performance, average build – were accurate.
To cut to the chase I can confirm that the images the camera produces really are superb with wonderful colour and sharpness. The 3 layer Foveon sensor – a Google search will provide a ton of information on the technical aspects if this device – is a significant departure from those used by the competition.
The DP1x captures colours nicely
The comments that it is close to a film camera in the way it resolves colours and more importantly the visual feel are, I feel, accurate. This performance coupled with the super sharp fixed 28mm (equivalent) lens means that its output exceeds that of my Fuji X-E1 and 18-55 lens which is no slouch in these areas.
But there is I am afraid a “however”. There usually is but the caveats to this camera producing the kind of images that when you get them on your computer screen make you go “wow” are as long as your arm.
Get the camera in the right conditions and you will be amazed. And by right conditions I mean generally outside, on a bright day (without any sun on the screen as the preview fades dramatically in bright light), with low iso (200 or less), on a static subject and ideally with manual focus to get things just so. Oh and a tripod would probably help as there is no inbuilt image stabilisation.
Nice detail from the fixed lens/sensor combination
As stated previously if you can comply with virtually ALL of the above (maybe forgo the tripod if you can get your shutter speed up) then you will be richly rewarded with images that have a quality I think you would struggle to achieve with anything up to a Canon 5D Mk3. Not print as big as the side of a house quality but up to A3’ish with some tweaking kind of quality (and yes I have owned a 5D Mk3 and I am fully aware of the files it produces).
As for the build quality. It feels fairly solid but strangely light to me. Build quality is certainly not going to blow you away. It feels no better than a £200 point and shoot from the likes of Canon or Nikon and as the camera’s original retail price was around £600 then I think it will leave many disappointed.
I feel it handles this scene well
Operationally it is very straightforward which makes a refreshing change with a mode dial on top for “P, A, S, M” shooting, set up, video and voice recording (!?). The remainder of the settings are fairly simply laid out after pressing the menu or quick menu buttons on the back of the camera although these have their own quirks that have to be experienced to be believed.
So who would the camera be good for? I would suggest landscape and architectural photographers that want to produce world class, fine art prints sized A3 or smaller. Forget portrait photography primarily because the focal length does not lend itself to this type of photography. In fact I would forget any other type of photography other than the ones mentioned previously.
Incidentally, forget the video capabilities of the camera – I am at a loss as to why Sigma even bothered given the performance here.
I would love to try out the new Merrill DP cameras out to see if any of the niggles have been ironed out. Until then I will be moving the DP1x on as, for me, its quirks just about outweigh the positives.
Colours are still good in overcast conditions
| Format | FOVEON X3® Direct Image Sensor (CMOS) | ||
| Image Sensor Size | 20.7×13.8mm (0.8 inch×0.5 inch) | ||
| Number of Pixels | Effective Pixels 14.06MP (2652×1768×3 layers) | ||
| Aspect Ratio | 3:2 | ||
| Focal Length | 16.6mm F4 (35mm equivalent focal length: 28mm) | ||
| Lens Construction | 5 Groups, 6 Elements | ||
| Shooting Range | 30cm–∞ (Full Mode),50cm–∞ | ||
| Storage Media | SD Card/Compatible with SDHC,Multi Media Card | ||
| Recording Format | Exif2.21, DCF2.0, DPOF | ||
| Recording Mode | Lossless compression RAW data (12-bit), JPEG(High, Wide, Medium, Low), Movie (AVI), Voice memo to still image (10 sec./30 sec.), Voice recording (WAV) | ||
| File Size (Number of Pixels) For Still Images |
RAW | High | Approx. 15.4MB (2640×1760) |
| JPEG | High | Fine Approx. 3.3MB (2640×1760) | |
| Normal Approx. 1.9MB (2640×1760) | |||
| Basic Approx. 1.4MB (2640×1760) | |||
| Wide | Fine Approx. 2.7MB (2640×1485) | ||
| Normal Approx. 1.6MB (2640×1485) | |||
| Basic Approx. 1.2MB (2640×1485) | |||
| Medium | Fine Approx. 1.6MB (1872×1248) | ||
| Normal Approx. 0.9MB (1872×1248) | |||
| Basic Approx. 0.7MB (1872×1248) | |||
| Low | Fine Approx. 0.8MB (1312× 880) | ||
| Normal Approx. 0.5MB (1312× 880) | |||
| Basic Approx. 0.3MB (1312× 880) | |||
| File Size/Movie | QVGA:320×240 (30 Frames Per Second), Approximately 30minutes is possible with a 1GB SD Card. | ||
| White Balance | 8 types (Auto, Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom) | ||
| ISO Sensitivity | AUTO (ISO 100–ISO 200): With Flash (ISO 100–ISO 400) ,ISO 50, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, (ISO 1600– 3200 in Raw mode only) | ||
| Color Mode | 7 types (Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Portrait, Landscape, B&W, Sepia) | ||
| Auto Focus Type | Contrast Detection Type | ||
| AF Point Selection | Selection of 1point from 9points | ||
| Focus Lock | Shutter release halfway-down position (From Menu Settings AE Lock is possible by AE lock button) | ||
| Manual Focus | Dial Type | ||
| Shutter Type | Electronically controlled lens shutter | ||
| Shutter Speed | 1/2000sec to 15sec: The maximum shutter speed is varied depending on F value. | ||
| Metering System | TTL Full Aperture Metering [1]Evaluative Metering, [2]Center Weighted Average Metering, [3]Spot Metering | ||
| Exposure Control System | [P]Program AE, [S]Shutter Priority AE, [A]Aperture Priority AE, [M] Manual | ||
| Exposure Compensation | 1/3 EV Steps up to±3EV for Appropriate Exposure | ||
| Auto Bracketing | 3 pictures in appropriate, under and over exposure levels. It can be set in 1/3EV stop increments up to ±3EV. | ||
| Built-in Flash | Pop-up (Manual) | ||
| Guide Number | 6(ISO100/m) | ||
| Built-in Flash Coverage Range | 30cm to 2.1m (ISO200) | ||
| External Flash | Hot shoe (X Sync. Contact, dedicated contacts) | ||
| Drive Modes | [1]Single, [2]Continuous (3 Frames/second), [3]Self Timer (2sec./10sec.) | ||
| LCD Monitor Type | TFT Color LCD Monitor | ||
| Monitor Size and Pixels | 2.5inches / Approx. 230,000 dots | ||
| LCD Monitor Language | English/Japanese/German/French/Spanish/Italian/Chinese (Simplified)/ Korean/ Russian | ||
| Interfaces | USB (USB2.0), Video Out (NTSC/PAL),Audio Out (Monaural) | ||
| Power | Dedicated Li-ion Battery BP-31, Battery Charger BC-31, AC Adapter (Optional) | ||
| Battery Life | Approx.250 shots(25℃) | ||
| Dimensions | 113.3mm/4.5″(W)×59.5mm/2.3″(H)×50.3mm/2″(D) | ||
| Weight | 250g/ 8.8oz. (excluding batteries and card) | ||
| DP1x Accessories | Li-ion Battery BP-31, Battery Charger BC-31, Lens Cap LCP-11, Neck Strap NS-11, Soft Case CS-70, Hot Shoe Cover HSC-11, USB Cable, Video Cable, SIGMA Photo Pro Disc, Instruction Manual | ||
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