Sigma has announced the DP1 Merrill and DP2 Merrill. Those cameras are mirrorless but not interchangeable system cameras and I thought it would be interesting to talk about one of the very few companies that is actually “trying” to develop a complete different sensor technology. Both cameras use the Foveon 15×3 Megapixel APS-C sensor. The DP1M has a fixed 19mm f/2.8 lens and the DP2M incorporates the 30mm f/2.8 lens. I found many “foveon-like” patents from Fuji, Panasonic and only but Sigma is currently the only camera manufacturer offering the technology on mass production cameras.
I really like the Foveon concept but the price of Sigma cameras are still too high. They didn’t unveil the DP1M and DP2M price yet but I expect it to be over $1000? Image samples and availability aren’t available too. So it’s quite a poor announcement with no other things to read that the press release 🙂
News roundup:
Photographyblog
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25 Responses
these cameras won´t cost 2000 dollars… sigma dp1 and dp2s cost from 250 to 400 euro
sell it to leica, leica will put red rubber stamp on, and sell for 3x
Why would it be $2000+ when the SD1 is now $2299?
“Expect to be over $2000”? ROFL! Didn’t they already try that with SD-1? That worked out just great for them!
Now my gripes with Sigma:
I would like to see Aperture support for Sigma raw files.
Get the quality control in order. I have ordered 2 12-24mm lenses for Canon and both were de-centered (on different sides). That’s just shoddy craftsmanship.
And while at it, make a full frame sensor camera that would take M mount lenses. With rangefinder and EVF of course. Come on, I am not getting any younger!
I’d expect it to be between 900-1300
Sigma cameras and specs look sickly compared to the ‘lowly’ Panasonic. And using the 20mm Panny, I’ve discivered them not to be so ‘lowly’.
If the price is correct they are again shooting themselves in the foot. Seems the SD1 price was not enough lesson.
As reported on dpreview, MSRP for the SD1 is over $3k, but MAP is only $2300. Sigma products usually sell for at or under MAP. I would expect the street price of the DP cameras to be well under $2k and probably closer to $1k.
I really want to get a Sigma compact. It has great potential. But the price is way too high, and based on former compact models, the AF, menus, performance in general, battery life, etc. is not up to par, esp. with their high pricing. They can’t rely on just the sensor to sell.
Not to mention f2.8 in a prime lens? Don’t they realize all other companies have been going somewhere closer to f2 when they go prime? That means I’m giving up my zoom lens for barely a few extra stops in aperture. Not worth it unless the sensor has amazing low light detail
2000 is for the SD1…
600 for the DP !
usd? sigma.fr
im very very excited!
Why? because maybe the price will be around 1000$ dollar, but like half a year after announcement those cameras will be found for like 500$ at ebay, almost new. Sigma cameras always loose lots of value! Just look at the SD1, from 10k$ to 3k$, and price will be around 2k on street.
I love Sigma cameras, and im more excited about this announcement then about the OM-D announcemnt to be honest!
Hmm, same lenses as they offer now seperatly for µFT and NEX.
Strange that they don’t choose interchangable lenses…
Actually, the lenses used in the Dp1m and Dp2m are completely different–much nicer and more complex designs with FLD glass and Asph elements. It look like a bar of tar soap with a lens, but I don’t mind… so long as operational issues and price are ok. Heck, at least no one will want to steal your camera.
I would be totes interested in the DP1M, but…. not at that price.
crap anyway…..
It is really pathetic that the champions of this technology are apparently so completely clueless when it comes to marketing their cameras. I have a DP-2 and an SD-15 that has been converted to use old Olympus OM lenses. The results are very unique and rewarding once you learn how to work with this sensor.
Fire the management, focus on R&D, and hire a marketing firm you bozos!
Right now their lens division is scr*wing the Foveon division, simple as. Sigma was probably the worst buyer for this tech, it needs rescuing!
Given that this sensor is geared towards absolute photographic quality, they should aim for perfect 50-800 ISO performance, that’s it. This is a sensor born for wide-angle landscape/architectural shooting, studio and macro shooting! Not that you’d know that, instead they choose to market it as a 15MP P&S, crass.
How stupid would you feel now if YOU bought an SD1 for over $9000.00?
I would not buy another Sigma product until:
1) They dramatically improve high ISO resolution.
3) They up the “Blues-Clues” camera IQ.
2) At least 2 years after the release when the price drops 75%.
That said I gtg to see if I can find a deal on an SD1 to convert for use with Leica R lenses…
sd1-leica-r-conversion: see sigmacumlaude.com and on ebay.
see also guevara at dpreview.
Sigma DP cameras are special, you have to own one to appreciate it, been shooting with sigma DP2 for close to 3 years, travelled around teh world with it dropped it a million time, but now and then i get images out of this world. looking forward to the new DP’s im leaning towards the DP1 though
If they want real success they should price it at $500!!! they will gain at least a 10% share of the market and sigma cameras will be popular! 😀
P.S. Hope they do upgrade the AF (I dunno how), because its totally disappointing. No handphone camera or point and shoot has this kind of sluggish AF speed! watch a youtube video for dp2m focus speed to understand!
I’m a DP1 owner. It’s a quirky thing, but I love that camera. When it hits, it hits.
I really wish they’d do one with interchangeable lenses. I think they’ve speeded up the electronics (it’d be hard not to . . . ), but I’m disappointed to hear the user still won’t be able to shoot with the camera writes the last shot.
I’m also skeptical about the 15MP sensor. I’ve always understood part of the greatness of the original sensor was that it had big fat pixels that could collect a lot of photos to measure. That was considered a plus. But 15M of ’em? Seems to me that advantage would be gone.
Still, I’ll probably buy one.