Sigma DP1 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Sigma's DP1 is unusual for a digital compact camera, in that it has an APS-C-size sensor, as found in many digital SLRs.

Verdict: There are countless uses for a camera of the DP1's capabilities. The ultra-portable Sigma DP1 would make a superb choice for travel photographers. It would be fair to say Sigma's DP1 is the digital compact camera equivalent to Canon's full-frame EOS ...

Review summary: The DP1 is the companion camera to Sigma's SD14. It uses the same unique three-layer Foveon sensor, but this time in a compact body with a fixed focal-length lens. It's designed for photographers looking for simplicity, clarity and quality rather than ...

Pros: Simplicity of design ; Foveon image quality ; excellent Sigma PhotoPro software

Cons: Slow autofocus ; slow image processing ; breathtaking price

Verdict: The DP1 is about as far from the mainstream as you can get. It has some obvious limitations and some rather less obvious operational flaws but, despite this, the images produced by its Foveon sensor are of such a quality that you're willing to forgive ...

Review summary: Originally announced in September 2006, the Sigma DP1 was delayed several times before finally being released in mid-2008. The camera's initial reception has been mixed - its image quality praised, its usability panned. The DP1 is simultaneously a ...

Pros: Foveon X3 DSLR-size image sensor, The "best" available image quality in a compact camera, Distinctive image quality characteristics, Small enough to fit in a coat pocket, JPEG and RAW file formats, Crisp 28mm (35mm equivalent) fixed focal-length lens, ...

Cons: Only 4.6 megapixels of effective resolution, ISO 800 and higher has objectionable noise levels, Slow auto focus (contrast detection), Slow camera operation, Unrefined menu interface, Lack of dedicated controls for ISO and white balance, No live ...

Verdict: Sigma has to be respected for being the first to answer the marketplace's cry for a pocket-sized DSLR. The challenge of marrying an APS-C sensor with a compact camera clearly has not been easy. While the resulting camera largely meets image-quality ...

Review summary: Anyone looking for a high-quality digital compact camera is spoilt for choice these days. One of the more esoteric is Sigma's DP1. Although it has the same APS-C format sensor as the Sigma SD14, it's the small size of the lens that's the real marvel

Verdict: While the DP1 can't match the versatility of a compact like the Canon PowerShot G9, the DP1 easily impresses, with its picture quality and portability. It may be pricey, but it's an ideal camera for landscapes and holiday snaps

Review summary: Sigma releases firmware version 1.04 for the DP1 camera which adds following new functions: • A customizing function has been added to the Digital Zoom button. • A feet indicator has been added to the scale bar in MF mode. Sigma also announces the ...