First of all I must say that the camera arrives beautifully packaged in an attractive, white packaging. Each accessory has its own compartment and is also packed dust.
After unpacking the first touch. She is very good in the hand and particularly people with big hands will appreciate the firm grip. The large bulge you're also after a long time not compelled the camera for a few moments out of his hand lay.
The weight is also very pleasant, not too light and definitely not too heavy, as reported by many a.
The case is processed very valuable and there is really no reason to complain. Everywhere you see small rubber seals that are verindern that moisture can penetrate.
The display is bright and easy to read, but is still the monitor of the SD15 in use, so the resolution does not match the standard. However, I use the screen only for checking the composition and for that it is enough.
Features the camera offers only the standards, Programmed Auto (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter priority (S) and manual mode (M). Night mode and other gadgets are not available, but in my opinion are not necessary for a camera of this class.
Settings you can make quick and easy via the QS button (Quick Select), where there are 2 screens, each with 4 setting options. Wonderful solved easily and quickly. A short and quick overview of the settings there after pressing the FUNC button and the viewfinder image itself.
The sensitivity of the sensor from Sigma with ISO 100 - ISO 6400 specified, whereas I would recommend in good conscience only to ISO 1600 since the higher sensitivities should only be black / white photographs reserved.
Special Function!
Since the SD9 Sigma DSLRs are provided with a dust cover, which can be removed for cleaning the camera or, since the SD10, to record infrared images. Since Sigma SD10 combined since the dust with an infrared filter, this is a very cost-effective alternative to enter the world of infrared photography. You can remove these dust within seconds and reinsert. VERY CLEVER SIGMA!
There is no Live View and no video function, which unfortunately at that time (2011) could not be processed by the camera electronics when the vast amounts of data.
Now something to the sensor.
The Foveon sensor is a very special and very sensitive sensor which needs a lot of light to erziehlen the best results.
He builds up a 3-layer principle, similar to that which corresponds to a color film. Does that mean that per pixel the color spectrum is read in 3 different values and the color resolution of this 1 pixel can not be compared with those of conventional Bayer pattern sensors.
In a conventional Bayer filter (So I call the times now), only 1 monochrome color value per pixel captured (either green, red or blue) and later interpolation (calculated estimates) with adjacent other color pixel values calculated, which is then an approximate RGB color value for that pixel 1 result.
The Foveon sensor makes it totally different. Since silicon absorbs different areas with increasing penetration depth of the light spectrum, this can be read relatively accurately and without an additional color filter. Again, this is not 100% accurate and it needs to be converted from the RAW color space in a computer-readable color space. This consumes an incredible amount of computing power and even today a high-end PC can thus still have difficulties.
But as soon as you look at the final image on the screen, so one will reward all the waiting finally. I have pictures of medium format cameras seen even pictures with a 5D MKII made and compared and also images from a D800 seen that what the can not hold a candle SD1 (M) conjures up on the screen. These images were compared ... how shall we say it ... flat. With a little effort and you can indeed sharpen from each camera get even more, but the Sigma makes it a very easy.
In short, the color resolution of this sensor is phenomenal. Since there are 46 million image sensors (15,2x3), this sensor as a 46 MP sensor is touted. Many users make it coincide with the resolution and think that this then just needs to give even 46 MP as with other sensors. But here is the hare buried in pepper. The nominal resolution of the image is "only" 15.2 megapixels in the classical sense. Now free to make some cheated, because they think yes ... 46 MP sensor = 46 MP image, where it come out only 15 MP.
If one now but a picture of a conventional 15 MP Bayer sensor this new 15 MP Foveon opposite, so you immediately recognize that they can not be compared. The sharpness and brilliance of the Foveon image can only be achieved with conventional sensors with at least double or even triple megapixel number, and then only if one compares this in print, as a Foveon image will gain at 100% size in the increasingly screen.
You have to see it to understand it and to comprehend.
What does this mean for the end user?
1. The user needs to know what he wants to photograph. Does he want to photograph only a black cat in the dark, so he should look elsewhere.
2. In order to exhaust the sensor is required prime lenses! Since the color resolution is so enormous, you can save it directly, davorzuspannen soup zoom lenses or cheap travel. The sensor covers every lens error on mercilessly!
3. It takes time! He who necessarily sports and action photography operates should also look elsewhere. The datasets of 46 megapixels have to be evaluated and stored by the firstonce small data center inside the camera.
This can take between RAW size and complexity 8-10 seconds. The buffer is full with maximum size to 7 RAW images in Low Res there are 14 images. At lower resolutions and jpeg it can go much faster, until an image has been recorded (JPEG-only and low res, ca 1-2 seconds per image).
4. The thickness of the sensor can be observed at higher speeds a loss of color information, so would rather take another camera from ISO 1600!
5. No Scene Modes. The user must have dealt with photography and understand the basics. This is not a camera just for fun to try out. It will not be fun if you do not know what to do.
6. processing of images can currently only be done by Sigma's own Photo Pro (Windows PCs), alternatively there are on the MAC to Iridient RAW Developer, which can open and process the files. Adobe and other big manufacturers offer program unfortunately to no possibilities for development of the RAWs.
At Sigma Photo Pro is told something. It is a RAW developer is provided by Sigma available for free. It offers the basic settings for a successful image development, no more and no less. There is no way in this software an image to rotate continuously, retouch image errors or make perspective corrections. However, it has now done very well in other areas. The competitors loose Fill Light feature creates a quasi HDR from a single exposure by brightening dark areas and bright areas adapts so retained as much image information or only come to light. Fantastic.
Sharpening should be but as far as possible refrain from using this program (at the Merrill sensors definitely). I export my pictures mostly with -1 to -1.5 and sharpness in other programs after. One could indeed slit eyes, so sharp the images are sometimes.
But you should still be of the opinion that one can live with the weaknesses, so you will be rewarded with a camera and a sensor which, when you tackle it properly, have to fear no competitors.
When price should also see that there is hardly anything comparable on the market and the sensor is already alone a unique selling point, which is a must small cost a little more.
I for one am very satisfied!
Review:
Image quality (Low ISO): 5/5
Image Quality (High ISO): 2/5 (color), 4/5 (SW)
Ergonomics: 4/5 (very good user interface, very good to touch, for some areas a little slow)
Scope of supply: 5/5 (English manual, charger, cap, camera strap, video cable)
Extra features (not available in other cameras): Foveon sensor, removable infrared filter / dust protection
Total: ~ 4/5
Price-Performance:
Here I can only say expensive but good! Who runs the photography as a hobby (like me) who needs such a camera is actually not necessarily. Smaller cameras like the SD15 or beginners Canon / Nikon / Sony / Pentax's and others do it also. However, anyone who is entitled to the highest image quality and the quirks of such a camera has no problems that can and should they, nevertheless, once a closer look. I want to give you no more!
