Camera Test: Sigma DP1
Posted on April 18, 2008 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment | 106 views
Serious photographers tend to look down on compact cameras. But would they change that attitude for one that delivered the same image quality as a DSLR, yet allowed them to travel light? Sigma believes so — and that they’ll pay a premium for its new compact DP1 ($800, street).
It’s too soon to say whether the DP1 — with its handsome good looks, single-focal-length lens, and slip-on, rangefinder-style viewfinder — will garner a cult following like the classic 35mm Contax T2 and Konica Hexar compacts, more recent high-end digital compacts such as the Ricoh Caplio GX100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 (a less-expensive version of the Leica D-LUX 3), or even Sigma’s own SD14 DSLR. But we couldn’t wait to put the DP1 to the test in the Pop Photo Lab and the field — especially after waiting a year and half for it since it was announced.
The delay was predictable, as Sigma was very deliberate in developing the DP1. It has a tough, yet slim, die-cast aluminum body (though no weather or dust seals), a 9-zone (all cross-type) autofocus system, and full manual metering and exposure controls. Most important, it’s the first compact to use a DSLR-sized sensor.
Tags: cast aluminum body, dslr, ricoh caplio gx100Comments
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