Sigma DP2

Review summary: In a world of flashy, do-it-all digital compact cameras, the Sigma DP2 stands out. With its fixed focal length (i.e. non-zoom) lens, disregard for HD video, small screen and simple styling, it cuts a decidedly old-fashioned figure – but Sigma claims ...

Pros: Lots of old school charm, compact size, high quality lens and sensor, great colour reproduction

Cons: Small, low-res screen, sloth-like autofocus, lacks the flexibility of a zoom lens

Verdict: Too limiting for most snappers, but definitely capable of achieving top class results in the right conditions

Review summary: Of all the cameras that claim to deliver SLR quality from a compact body, Sigma's DP2 is arguably the most convincing. It's certainly the most unusual. It's a little larger than the average compact camera but smaller and lighter than Olympus's E-P1. ...

Verdict: An impressive sensor in a compact body, but some of the DP2's other quirks aren't as appealing.

Review summary: Does this fixed lens compact live up to its DSLR-like claims?

Pros: Excellent lens, wealth of hands-on control, works best when attempting images with a shallow depth of field

Cons: Expensive, variable white balance if left in auto mode, washed out de-saturated colours, plasticky feel to build, occasional operational freezes

Verdict: The Sigma DP2 won't appeal to everybody, and that's largely by design. It works best when viewed as a compact back-up to an existing DSLR, or an experimental supplement to a more fully-featured, user-friendly digital compact

Review summary: For many years we, along with a great many other photo enthusiasts, have been hoping, and cajoling manufacturers, for a small camera with a good lens and a large sensor. While the large manufacturers made approving noises, none of them seemed willing ...

Pros: Excellent levels of detail in ISO 100 images (irrespective of pixel count), Dynamic range comparable with its peers, Good lens with only minimal distortion and little chromatic aberration, Attractive minimalist styling, Good build quality, Greatly ...

Cons: Sluggish performance, Desaturated and 'flat' JPEG output, Unreliable White Balance, Green and magenta tints to parts of many images, Continuous mode only allows four shots per burst (three in RAW), Auto Focus struggles in low light (and there is no AF ...