image source: Sigma
The Sigma SD15 DSLR camera was expected to be officially released during the summer of 2009 (initially announced at Photokina 2008). The camera is now delayed according to a Sigma spokesman quoted by AP:
‘The Japanese engineers are currently in the process of optimising performance and image quality, ensuring the best possible results are achieved from the Foveon sensor.
Sigma SD15 specs:
- 14MP Foveon sensor, 2640×1760 pixels (x3), 20.7×13.8 mm: Foveon X3 direct-image-sensor it can capture all primary RGB colours at each and every pixel location arranged in three layers.
- SD15 incorporates the “TRUE II” new image processing engine. It provides high resolution power and reproduces high definition images rich in gradation and impressive three-dimensional detail.
- Lens Mount Sigma SA Bayonet
- ISO settings: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 (extended mode)
- Shutter speeds 1/4000 sec to 30 sec + Bulb
- Exposure compensation: -3 to +3 EV in 0.3 EV steps
- Metering 8-segment, center, cw average
- Continuous Drive 3 fps
- Storage Compact Flash Type I or II
- LCD 3.0 “, 150,000 pixels (wow, this is low!)
- Weight: (inc. batteries) 750 g (26.5 oz)
- Dimensions: 144×107 x 81 mm (5.7×4.2×3.2 in)
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18 Comments
While we are at it, change more than just the sensor performance, make it up to date to today’s specs
And call it the SD16
No one knows Sigma’s enigma, they want the Foveon sensor for them only but don’t seem to do much with it. They are the most strong&close-headed camera company of our times.
I really can’t imagine why they haven’t scrapped this project yet…
alright, magic question of the month… who cares??
ISO 1600? 1/4000 max shutter? 3″ 150,000 dot screen? 8 segment metering? Whoa Sigma, not all at once! I can’t take such innovations! These would be great specs if it were a medium format camera, but APS-C in (almost) 2010? I really, really want to like Sigma. They have such great ideas for lenses and cameras but they consistently lack finish and polish. It’s like they pull up with 10 metres to go on a 100m sprint, except they ‘ain’t no’ Usain Bolt. Nikon and and Canon announc new cameras generally right before their release and they hit some technological feature out of the park. Sigma is about to release a 2008 camera in 2010. Go Sigma! Hint: buy a Nikon or Canon or Pentax and take the best of each, reverse engineer it, throw your Foveon sensor in it and finish the race for once with full effort to the end!
Well, let’s hope the Sigma SD15 will be at least a good 2008 camera. It would be a jump forward compared to the quite decent 2004 camera the SD14 was…
I stop believing in Sigma a while ago…
I remember the last time I saw sales figures for Sigma, they were tiny. They MUST be losing money on this. I don’t understand why they keep going.
Apparently their business in on lenses, and cameras serve only for marketing their lenses and showing they understand photography in all its aspects…
Hence the foveon sensor: if you want it, you can have it only with Sigma lenses (if SD14 were using a normal bayer sensor nobody would even consider trading their Nikon, Pentax, Canon, Sony, etc., that can be used also with Sigma lenses).
I am not sure this whole idea works, though…
Well, quite poorly I guess – most of the sales seems to be made by people who wanted to get something on S but forgot the name – so they bought Sigma because it was the first one on the shelf, lol
But seriously though – they are few years behind everyone else. Foveon sensor today doesn’t give any advantage over CCD/CMOS – neither in matter of colors, tonal range, details, not even noise. if they wanted to make it well – there is a way: make low-res but high-detail camera with awesome color reproduction – this would give them some chances on the market. But in the way they are doing it today… it’s a waste of money.
Apparently there is some problem with foveon having high details. ’till now they did not manage to go beyond 4.6 mp. True that with the 3 layers etc. it should perform as 14, but actually all tests indicate an equivalence of around 10mp, and only with pictures in full colors. They have been trying to improve the pixel density since, but so far there are severe noise problems even at basic ISOs…
No, at the moment foveon is not a good solution… especially thanks to Sigma’s effords to build bad but expensive cameras to stuff the sensor in…
i think Sigma needs a partner with deep pockets and experience in electronics, either Samsung or Panasonic, the former would be a better match, but unlikely that Sigma would be open-minded enough to a partnership in which they ‘import’ some of the electronic tech used in their camera bodies and/or ‘export’ the Foveon tech they own or the lens expertise they have. I can see them getting involved in micro 4/3 lenses only or even bodies and that would be a good move, but without a serious partnership with one of the electronics giants, their camera bodies won’t be competitive whether it be SD, DP or micro 4/3 bodies.
Put a fork in it. As has been said, a decent 2008 camera won’t sell in 2010.
Shall we say R.I.P. Sigma?!
As a camera brand, yes, as a lens brand, no
i would love to say that SD14 was decent, but cannot. It was very slow and IQ was not really there, but still good at many things, good price/performance.
But idea that i would be stuck with sigma glass is a big nightmare
Off topic: just two more days for the Tamron surprise. I think they have been monitoring Photorumors
lol, they have a sense of humor!
Hey Sigma.
1. Drop the SA mount.
2. Bring us a Full Frame DP3 with an appropriate mount system so that we can plug most of your lenses on it
3. 700 euros max or 1000 euros if it has proper 1080p 30fps video