Sigma

This 46-megapixel DSLR creates new choice for medium-format photographers

Sigma Corporation of America, a leading manufacturer of some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce that its new flagship DSLR, the Sigma SD1, will be released this month. So what is the big deal about that? Well, the big deal is this is a quite unique camera: it rivals the image quality of outlandishly expensive medium format cameras. How does it do this? The new SD1 sports Sigma's newest and best (and exclusive) Foveon imaging sensor, which has an amazing 46 megapixels, yet the SD1 is about the size of a typical DSLR, whereas most medium format cameras are not only crazy expensive, but bulky, heavy beasts to carry around.

Foveon sensors use 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. This technology efficiently reproduces color more accurately and offers sharper resolution, pixel for pixel, than conventional image sensors. Since color moiré is not generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required. I have used Sigma's Foveon equipped cameras over the past few years and have been amazed at the quality offered by the earlier generations of this sensor. Read more

March 2009 - The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma DP2 compact digital camera featuring a 14 Mega Pixel FOVEON X3 direct image sensor (2,652 x 1,768 x 3 layers) as used in the Sigma SD14 digital SLR.

Sigma introduced to the market in March, 2008, the DP1 with its direct image sensor; the same sensor utilized by the Sigma SD14 digital SLR. It was called a “unique, groundbreaking, compact digital camera with all the power of a digital SLR”. Since then, the multi-award winning DP1 has earned respect among a wide range of both amateur and professional photographers and has gained their ardent support. Building on this success, the DP2 has arrived and is equipped with a 24.2mm F2.8 lens, equivalent to 41mm on a 35mm SLR camera, increasing creative possibilities, providing superior image quality and improving handling and performance.

Sigma is pleased to also announce that both the DP1 and DP2 will be a part of the Sigma line. Users can continue to enjoy the image quality of the DP2 camera for standard focal length photography and also take advantage of the DP1’s wider focal length. Both offer support and encourage creativity in a compact digital camera.

DP2 Special Site: www.SIGMA-DP.com Read more

Ever since the dawn of 35mm cameras independent lens manufacturers have produced optics that generally carried a lesser price and was of lesser quality than those offered by the original manufacturer. A few independents however, do make lenses that often meet or exceed the major camera manufacturers’ products. These companies include Zeiss, Sigma, and Tamron.

Sigma, in particular, has produced perhaps the best standard 50 mm lens in its all-new 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM. Fixed focal length lenses are called “prime lenses” because they do not have to deal with the inherent compromises that the design of a zoom lens demands. Prime lenses are designed to perform extremely well at one focal length. This is important for photographers who need or demand the sharpest image that they can achieve.

This particular new Sigma lens has received wide acclaim, which it richly deserves-- along with many of the other lenses in Sigma's line-up. As do most independent manufacturers, Sigma makes its lenses available to fit Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony and Pentax camera bodies, while retaining all of the autofocus and auto exposure capabilities of the original manufacturers’ lenses, with only a few rare exceptions in certain Pentax models. Read more