** PRO **
(+) Very good lens
Despite its compact design, the lens is excellent. A fixed focal length with this focus, this contrast, this freedom from distortion, etc. There is not to the price, the costs for the whole DP SLR.
(+) Size and Weight
Absolutely pocket fit and with less than 300 grams even slightly. Many keeps deliberately lightweight design for poor workmanship. A Panasonic GF1 example looks just a tad bit better processed, but also weighs a quarter more.
(+) Central locking
The simple small leaf shutter allows the camera without special stabilizer longer exposure times from the hand, makes discrete (because silent) and works with all (!) Shutter speeds with flash. Often this detail is overlooked in comparison with the EVIL cameras. Because not only the impact of a mirror reflex camera leads to camera shake, but also (to a lesser extent) the "closure stroke". (The EVIL cameras like Sony NEX, Samsung NX, Micro FT, etc. have slot closures, which are larger and louder than the closures of the DP cameras.)
(+) RAW Software
Sigma presents with Sigma Photo Pro own free software to develop the RAW files. Operation is beautifully simple, and the results are compared with other RAW programs the best (The Fill Light function of the Foveon sensor has to be seen!). Only a turning and trimming function one would want here.
(+) Foveon sensor
The unique selling point par excellence. It has been written much, advantages and disadvantages are well known to everyone soon. For me, this sensor fits nicely with the DP cameras. A Foveon is for anyone who is interested in photography, a "trip" value. And with a DP can be the best business. But: you shoot in RAW and use the Sigma Photo Pro software! Only in this way you will experience the rich colors and great sharpness that produce the DPs.
(+) Price
With all the qualities mentioned there must be a really almost embarrassing when you pay less than 400 euros. Every penny in my opinion worth (stand 03-2011) - Even for this price would be the DP1s - despite ug deficits. Mostly they could already get for under 200 euros ... just amazing!
(+) Design
This is of course a matter of taste, but the plain black box is just cool. And if you still see the images that produced the box ...
** CON **
(-) Waiting time after tripping
Even with a single RAW freezes the DP1s for a few seconds. This is incomprehensible and annoying. The DP1x and all DP2 models are better off!
(-) No in-focus mark in manual focusing
As soon as one switches to manual focus, a scale appears on the LCD, which indicates to which meter distance you just focused. Here are installed two small additional indicators as estimated aid, the index the entire focus range (before and after the set point), would have been to make really cheap - even for Sigma. Currently there is not the but.
(-) Battery life
Small battery, large sensor always mean shorter term. 200 pictures but should always be there. A second battery is recommended. These are fortunately (as Sigma-original) pretty cheap.
(-) Unstimmiges operating concept
The operating concept seems to have been thrown in the course of development several times over the pile. The camera, though it has no zoom lens at very prominent place zoom buttons. These keys can be assigned now to a firmware update at its option, with shortcuts to various camera functions. Even the main menu functions must always be only "folded" before you can edit it. For anyone who knows the camera, smooth work is possible. Who has the camera for the first time in his hand, is initially not get very far ...
(-) LCD display
The display is a live view camera of course much more important than with a SLR, and with the DPs, it is a disappointment. It is faint, and solves much too low on. Almost every standard clippers over 100 euros has to offer these days better. Maybe it does not need at least as much power ...
(-) Autofocus in low light
Unfortunately, I have no ready lux / lumen units, but the autofocus is much more common / earlier than the previously mentioned 100 Euro-clippers. Small Workaround: If you partout hinbekommt it manually with the focus, you light the focus object with a laser pointer on (not people!). Once the laser spot in the focal area of the DP is the focus fits perfectly.
(-) Louder focus motor
So quiet is the shutter, the focus motor will not play in this league. Sigma has actually more subtle in the parts box, has it but not built for space / cost reasons. Pity!
(-) One-hand operation unsafe
The clean design was probably no place for such a thing as a handle. Although few knobs in metal usually sufficient, but leave no 100% peace of mind. Anyone who wants to take pictures with one hand often, should be added to purchase a wrist strap.
(-) Macro weakness
Wide and macro shots make for most anyway does not make sense, but the minimum focusing distance of approximately 30cm acts Extra-limiting. Sigma can build good lenses (especially macros). I suppose, therefore, that one has the benefit of a more compact construction limited the focus area. Ergo: If macro with this camera, then close-up lenses and the like. Here you can again achieve quite pleasing results.
*** CONCLUSION ***
The DP1s and all other "Depis" of Sigma are unique - for better or for worse.
Incredible color and sharpness in the images - but such a rickety display?
A discrete central locking - but so snotty focus motor?
Total photographic control - but no focus area indicators in manual focus?
Sexy housing design - but without zoom zoom buttons?
There were still a lot to improve the box ... But because today outweighs the good by far, in my view - because in the end only count the pictures - I repeat my statement from above: Anyone who is interested in photography and not a pure sports or wildlife photographer is, should (at least) a DP own!
