Update: the official Sigma SD1 website is up.
- Sigma announced SD1 flagship digital SLR with 46MP 1.5x crop Foveon X3 sensor
- Sigma 150mm F2.8 Macro lens
- Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 lens
- Sigma EF-610 DG flash
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new SIGMA SD1 Digital SLR Camera, incorporating a 46 megapixel (4,800×3,200×3 layers) 24×16mm APS-C X3 direct image sensor.
The SIGMA SD1 is Sigma's flagship digital SLR model, adopting a lightweight yet solid magnesium alloy for its body and O-ring sealing connections to make a weather-resistant design throughout for use in harsh conditions.
The SIGMA SD1 incorporates a 24×16mm APS-C X3 direct image sensor and dual “TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II ”image processing engines. The combination of the 46 megapixel (4,800×3,200×3 layers) sensor and dual TRUE II processing engines ensure the high resolution images are processed quickly with high definition and a smooth and subtle graduation of color.
The SD1 is SIGMA’s latest digital SLR camera which meets high requirements of professional and enthusiast photographers for all types of photography.
This product is showcased at Photokina 2010 in Koln, Germany.
SIGMA SD1 Product Summary
46 megapixel 24×16mm APS-C X3 Full-color image sensor
The 46 megapixel (4,800×3,200×3 layers) 24×16mm APS-C X3 direct image sensor featured in the Sigma SD1 captures all primary RGB colors at each and every pixel location, ensuring the capture of full and complete color. Using three silicon-embedded layers of photo detectors, stacked vertically to take advantage of silicon’s ability to absorb red, green and blue light at different respective depths, it efficiently reproduces color more accurately, and offers sharper resolution, pixel for pixel, than any conventional image sensor. Since color moire is not generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required, meaning light and color, generated by the 46 megapixel APS-C X3 direct image sensor is captured with a three-dimensional feel.
Dual TRUE II image processing engine
The SD1 incorporates a dual “TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II” image processing engine which improves the processing speed and overall quality of the final image. The unique image-processing algorithm provides high resolution power and reproduces high definition images with richly graduated tones.
CF card
The SD1 adopts the TYPE I CF Card. This camera is compatible with the UDMA enabling fast processing of large amounts of data.
* It is not possible to use Microdrives and TYPE II CF cards.
11 point twin cross sensor
The autofocus system features an 11 point twin cross sensor. The shifted twin cross type sensor improves AF accuracy.
Magnesium body
The Sigma SD1 adopts a lightweight yet solid magnesium alloy body designed to withstand rough use and shocks in harsh conditions.
Weather-resistant design
Buttons and connections benefit from O-ring sealing connections to prevent dust and water getting inside the camera body.
Large, highly visible 3.0” TFT color LCD Monitor
The SD1 camera features a 3.0 inch TFT color monitor. This 460,000 pixel resolution LCD monitor benefits from a wide viewing angle, making it easy to check focusing and composition.
Optional lenses
The SD1 can be used with over 40 Sigma lenses such as ultra-wide, ultra-telephoto, macro and fisheyes which adopt the latest technology such as the FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, SLD glass, Aspherical lenses, Sigma's own unique Optical Stabilizer function, Hyper Sonic Motor and Sigma's Super Multi Layer Coating. They meet the various and demanding requirements of all types of photographers.
| Format | Interchangeable lens SLR camera |
| Storage Media | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) |
| Image Sensor Size | 24×16mm |
| Lens Mount | SIGMA SA bayonet mount |
| Compatible Lenses | SIGMA SA mount interchangeable lenses |
| Angle of View | Equivalent to approx. 1.5 times the focal length of the lens (for 35mm cameras) |
| Image Sensor | X3 direct image sensor (CMOS) |
| Effective Pixels | 46MP (4,800×3,200×3 layers) |
| Aspect Ratio | 3 : 2 |
| Viewfinder Typ | Pentaprism SLR viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Frame Coverage | 98% vertical, 98% horizontal |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.95x (50mmF1.4 - ∞) |
| Eye point | 18mm |
| Diopter Adjustment Range | -3.0 dpt - +1.5 dpt |
| Auto Focus Type | TTL phase difference detection system |
| AF Point | 11 points twin cross sensor |
| AF Operating Range | EV -2 to +19 (ISO100) |
| Focus Mode | Single AF, Continuous AF (with AF motion prediction function), Manual |
| Focusing Screen | Fixed, all matt screen |
| Mirror | Quick return |
| Depth of Field Preview | Depth of field preview button |
| AF Point Selection | Automatic Selection, Manual Selection |
| Active AF point indicator | Superimposed in viewfinder |
| Focus Lock | Shutter Release Halfway-Down position |
| Built-in Flash | Manual Pop-up Built-in flash, GN11 (17mm lens angle covered) |
| Flash Metering System | S-TTL Auto Flash |
| Flash Compensation | ±3EV (1/3 stop increments) |
| Compatible Flashguns | EF-610 DG SUPER, EF-610 DG ST, EM-140DG |
| Sync Terminal | Available |
| Flash Connectivity | Hot shoe (contact X synchronization at 1/180 sec. or less, with dedicated flash linking contact) |
| LCD Monitor | Type : TFT color LCD monitor, Monitor Size : 3.0", LCD Pixels : Approx. 460,000 |
| Dimensions | 145.5 mm/5.7" (W) × 112.5 mm/4.4"(H) × 80.0 mm/3.1" |
| Weight | TBD |
| * The appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice. | |
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35 Comments
Looks Like a Winner!!!
WHAT???
I didn’t see that one comming… wow..
If it’s good, it is a little revolution!
Lets hope so.
flash sync 1/180?
Why sigma have to kill it already before it starts?
Sadly this cam will be long forgotten as always before. I would hate to be stuck with just sigma lenses. Sure 48Mpix will attract some mall shoppers, but first after HUGE dump sale rabats (as was always with sigma).
It has to be said that foveon “46 mp” is in fact 15.5 mp x 3 layers. Which does not translate into a bayer 46 mp equivalent. Their 14 mp resolved more or less like a 10mp camera (a bit less, in fact). And only in full colors: for b&w foveon is stuck to its basic resolution, in this case 15.5 mp (still good, though).
Still, this sensor looks very very interesting. Pity the camera is a Sigma, which implies an unlimited series of small problems that will limit its usability (it is not a coincidence that all Sigma users also have other brand dslr).
Let’s hope that the sensor is good, and that it will be used in future small cameras, à la dp1. Even better would be a Sigma EVIL: something I have been harping from the very day the dp1 was out (long before the appearence of m43 cameras)
It doesn’t matter… Following prior examples from Sigma, anyone interested has 18-24 months to save up before it is released.
Sigma says it is a 46MP (4,800×3,200×3 layers) sensor. Does this mean the largest pictures it takes i really 46 MP in size or is it just 15.3 MP ?
Does the x3 mean a broader dynamic range is captured?
it means that whatever it means, is not good enough to even raise eyebrows of canon or nikon.
Only beacuse Sigma has not a good reputation regarding QC…but if the camera delivers, i bet it will raise eyebrows of pretty much everyone…
It’s not only QC that Sigma has had trouble with. The Foveon sensor has trouble with some colors. It’s great for super saturated photos you want to post of flickr, but the color problems means it will never be taken seriously in the commercial world. Who knows, maybe they’ve figure out how to solve this issue. The sharpness of their photos are commendable. Too bad, Sigma makes the body.
Its seems that is not the case with the newest SD15…the colors are much more “canon” now…according to sigma users…
Great news!!!
what about price?
i wanna see more about the lens. i was going to buy the 150mm now i have to wait more to see if this its as good as the older one or not
Awesome if Sigma can make this one without all the lock ups, color tints and everything….but it will cost….a LOT….
As always with Sigma, one year is enough to see the street-price halved, or less, compared to the original street-price. Problem is that nobody buys sigma, although they have very good ideas, because the quirks in their cameras can create serious problems to any serious user. I’d rather have a pink but working camera than a “seriously black” but quirky one…
Let’s see how THIS one works…
I for one spent a lot of money with Sigma..Sd10(2), SD14 and a bunch of lenses , flash, grip and etc…and of course i had a lot of troubles….but it seems that the new lenses are better optically and we can only hope that the QC is now improved….lets wait and see…..
I, for one, wanted to invest some cash on the sd14, when the price collapsed. Then I had a vision, and bought a Nikon D80.
shoot proper green, 9) take video (ok, who cares, but still), 10) … did I miss anything?
Recently I had something similar with the ep1smth. Did not buy it. After all, as great as the IQ can be, if you are not able to 1) shoot in low light, 2) use AF, 3) use back screen with average light, 4) use OVF, and the EVF is terrible, 5) save more than one pic without the camera freezing for one minute or more, 6) use IBIS (there is none), 7) change lens (ok, this is inherent to the design of a fixed-lens camera; but still…),
Well, as almost all of the above is possible with whatever m43, NX, NEX, etc. cameras, that tend to cost as much as the dpwhatever… well, better to invest in one of the latter ones…
am I mistaken?
btw: I have nothing against Sigma lenses. I have a lot against Sigma cameras. But sure, even if sigma cameras were perfect (huhuhuh!) the only lenses usable are the sigma ones. Which is a severe limit, as all other brands can use all sigmas PLUS their branded ones PLUS all other compatible brands.
Which means that a e.g. Nikon camera can use gazillions more lenses than a Sigma SD camera, many of which excellent+
I am not counting lenses usable via adaptor, as AF, VR, etc. would not work (= they lose a lot of their appeal, and sometimes become a PITA)
120-300/2.8 with OS is awesome news. I imagine the price will probably be around 2500 Euro. And who knows, the old version might now start dropping in price as well.
If they haven’t jacked the price up too much from the previous model, and the QC is good, this might tempt me instead of the, hopefully soon to be introduced, updated Nikon 80-400.
No low-pass filter !!
No Bayer filter.
Even if the sensor resolution is 15.5 MP, could still make a great Digital B&W camera that no other Bayer type DSLR could come close to – in theory.
I think Sigma should not try to compete with the big ones in camera making. They should look for a niche. For example: The big ones avoid producing a cheap full format camera cause they want people to first buy DX and then upgrade for a lot of money.
Sigma could really earn a lot of money here, from people like me, who can live with less than the best in AF and frame rate, but want FX. The features of my D40 are totally fine (except maybe adding U1 and U2 user banks like on D7000), I just want a large image sensor. This is what Sigma should provide.
Nikon D40 works better than any Sigma sd camera. Only thing sigma has better is the sensor (which is a lot, actually). But I heard horrible stories about pics people were not able to take, thanks to the quirks of the sd14…
A dream camera but 2 questions :
Why no Full Frame ?
What about noise & iso ?
1) because it costs a lot, and sigma-foveon cannot make it at the moment
2)in the sd 14-15 world high iso /noise was a big problem. Let’s hope the new sensor solved it…
The 120-300 2.8 OS looks like a serious winner. Sigma’s first weather sealed lens and what looks like a new design. I had the older non DG version and loved it.
The SD1 looks pretty good… Too bad they can’t make a full frame foveon though..
It’s good to remember that Sigma likely has much less mature and able camera-tech developement teams compared to the likes of of Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Minolta (sony) Sigma is new beginner what comes to building cameras.
That beeing said I hope them all the best. A foveon 1080p 100 mbit/s 30,25,24 fps movie fuction focused Fullframe foveon camera would be very interesting and naturally a 46-Mpix foveon (even without video) would be much interest to me as well.
Shame it’s Sigma, I wish this Sensor was in Canon/Nikon’s hands.
Pathetic AF and it will be plagued with over 9.5 million bugs at release and it will probably be released in 2062. Awesome idea, terrible implementation.
Agreed. I wish Nikon had snapped up Foveon. Maybe they could have fixed the Foveon color problem. Then again, it’s telling that Nikon, Canon, and Sony had little interest in them. Perhaps the problem is unsolveable. I have little faith Sigma was able to solve it.
In Holland it is already in some places completely sold out and undeliverable.
Was aimed at Chris P
You are certainly BOBnl from dpreview & promoting as a geek for sigma. I really doubt that this camera is “already” sold out.
15MP on a o.2 x larger sensor (4MP earlier) would be very very noisy above 400 iso. Why no FF ?
not mentioning that in terms of video, it would be totally useless.
If they’ fabricate a 1.5 4K foveon video camera, this would be a totall different story.
I guess they were talking about the new 12-300 2.8 OS zoom lens…
I would still like one for its nice slide film-like image quality.
Would be nice for portraits with a 50mm F1.4.
And at about 1500 bucks, it’s quite reasonable. Won’t replace my main SLR, just augment it.
Hate the Sigma mount, though. Build it with a Nikon mount and I’d already have preordered.
It’s better if Sigma went M4/3 way and create a camera body for that standard. They’ll probably sell more cameras that way.