Sigma DP2M Review

[MichaelLee]

Can you scan the barcode ?

[MichaelLee]

X3 Fill light, a feature that comes with Sigma Photo Pro software to maximize the Foven 3 CCD capabilities. This feature enable user to pull up the exposure from shadow regions while preserve highlight detail. Here are 3 pairs of pictures, converted to JPEG by Sigma Photo Pro under Auto vs X3 (fill light)


Auto




X3








Auto (shot through office window)





X3

[MichaelLee]

Auto






X3










Auto



X3




100% crop of X3








The X3 fill light did a decent good job to pull up the exposure from the shadow area. I did not notice there is lots of noise or artifacts nor any banding issue from the X3 adjusted shadow area, and the detail was very well preserved.

[MichaelLee]

Kai , who had a chance to shoot with DP2M, like to share one of his picture and comment particularly on skin tone color reproduction.



Kai's comment : "The DP2M produces very accurate skin tone as per what the subject was at the time of capturing the picture. In this sample, 3 different persons from 3separate continents coming together for a family gathering; prominently withthe father who had a great tanning versus the youngest daughter whoobviously had just arrived from the cooler climate of the United Kingdom.Due to the excellent image capture capability of the FOVEON Direct X3 imagesensor, these distinctive characteristics are boldly displayed in the final photo."

[MichaelLee]

like to draw some conclusion for this review ;


What has improved (over DP2s/DP2X)
- The overall design : build, layout design, lens design, include manual focus, ability to out a filter, 3inch LCD etc. You may refer to my earlier comment in this thread.
- File writing speed, AF speed, ISO performance
- 46-megapixel X3 image sensor that gives amazing detail that can rival FF DSLR
- New lens design that provide sharp images corner to corner


What can be improved
- File writing speed, AF speed. Though much improved from DP2s/DP2X, I would wish for further enhancement with future firmware upgrade
- Please give back ISO50. I have shot both DP1 and DP2, the IS050 offer very rich color
- Snap mode featuer to allow pre set AF at certain focus distances
- IS ? to some, it is useful and good to have. personally not a must have.
- A nice leather pouch should be given


Others shortfall that I don't bother
- No EVF. It is ok, I shot only with LCD (newly improved 3inch 940K)
- No build in flash
- VGA video 640X480
- No fancy art filter
- Battery life approx 97 shots ; the package comes with 2 original batteries and it uses the same battery as Ricoh GRD. there are lots of 3rd party battery available and quite cheap
- Slower AF speed compared to DSLR and useable ISO up to 1,600. If i want to shot noise free high ISO (1,600 and above) picture and instant fast AF, I have DSLR with me. DP2M is for the users who prioritizes the color, X3 lighting that is able to pull lots of detail from the shadow, sharp image from DP lens, X3 sensor with detail resolution, the pop out effect with no AA filter
- One has to shot RAW to bring the best out from DP2M. Sigma Photo Pro software is given and easy to use.



Who will be interested in this cam ?
It is not a camera for everyone and it can not match DSLR in terms of operation (AF, operation, battery consumption).

The strengths of DP2M are: detailed resolution, sharp lens corner to corner, X3 lighting, color reproduction, the pop out effect. So to speak, extremely good image IQ is what the user would really appreciate to use this camera. I believe the pictures above had spoken for themselves, it gives so much detail that is way beyond my expectation from my experience with DP1s, DP2. It is also one of the most smallest (in term of size) APS-C camera, with focal length of 45mm f2.8 that is compact enough to carry day to day use.


Thanks dropping by, and let me know if you have questions to the cam.

[caseygoh1]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing the photos! The resolution blows my mind! I would like to start saving for DP1M.

[MichaelLee]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing the photos! The resolution blows my mind! I would like to start saving for DP1M.

No worries, always good to share. DP1M is using same sensor and same design of the new DP lens. I would expect the picture IQ will be as good.

[Mr Khaw]

DP1 M no stock until end of this month or next month, at least this is what i know. need to be on waiting list somemore...

[tomcat]

DP1 M no stock until end of this month or next month, at least this is what i know. need to be on waiting list somemore...

Are you also interested in the DP1M? Thought you already have the SD1M.

[MichaelLee]

Update : DP2M Release of new Firmware Ver.1.01


•Enables the setting of the ISO Sensitivity in steps of 1/3 EV.
•Enables the setting of the Lower limit and Upper limit of the ISO Sensitivity in ISO Auto mode.
•Enables the capture of a custom white balance image, the setting of ISO Auto range and the setting of Interval timer in Quick Set Menu.
•Speed of Auto Focus is improved by enhancement of the algorithm.
•Incorporates Speed Priority AF mode.
•Corrects the rarely occurring phenomenon that images cannot be reviewed or created when using the camera with some types of SD cards.
•Corrects the unlikely event that in AF mode the image cannot be recorded properly even if the shutter button is pressed “all-the-way down”.

[erichen]

Better in Black and White