Sigma SD15

Sigma's big news for Foveon fans is the new SD15 digital SLR, approaching final release date and specification. Previewed last year, the new functional prototypes give a good insight into the new model and the improvements available over the SD14, though pricing remains uncomfirmed. Gathering hands-on, rumours and reported pre-order details, the SD15 looks to be a real refinement of the format, and potentially capable of bringing new users to the Foveon system.

Released specifications now show the SD15 to have a 430,000 pixel 3.0" LCD - the dimensions, but not the resolution, had been revealed previously with the first prototypes. Whilst short of the VGA (920K) displays some cameras use, it's on par with most current DSLR displays including newly launched Four-Thirds models, and is more than adequate for the SD - with an excellent viewing angle. The screen size has resulted in some alterations to the SD's rear panel, with revised button locations - the top plate LCD has also been refined with rather clearer aperture and shutter displays.

 Under the hood, the big changes come with a DP-derived pipeline. The economies of scale this affords Sigma will probably have a knock-on effect across the range, with larger orders of silicon, more consistent firmware requirements and focused development. Certainly early pre-orders from around Europe are pointing at a price point nearer "high-end entry level" than "low-end professional" bodies. The SD15 benefits from a much larger buffer than previous models, allowing 21 RAW shots, and revised AF, metering and shutter functions. The Compact Flash card is replaced by SDHC; whilst this may seem to be a retrograde step, SD is supported as a format by many computers without needing a separate reader and the card performance is well up to the maximum data rate of the image pipeline - few cameras can actually write to a card as fast as the card specification may suggest.

 The shutter is particularly interesting, as it now offers a mirror lock-up function. The mechanism is stunningly quiet, and for the discerning - and realistic - photographer who understands why megapixels are only a tiny part of the story when it comes to producing stunning images, this is going to be an amazing wedding/social camera with a stunningly discrete sound. The SD14 was buttery, the SD15 is more like silk. However, a question has to be asked about the mirror lock up, TRUE II processing engine and current DP capabilities - where's the Live View. There really is no longer a technical barrier to this function existing; it's understandable that in the days of HD video and articulated screens the SD15 can be spared the QVGA recording capability of the DP, but the compositional advantages of Live View are taken for granted on most cameras now.

Physically the SD15 is almost identical to the SD14. Minor changes to the rear panel and mouldings may make it more comfortable for some users but overall the handling and ergonomics are as per the previous camera.

DP1x

To some, the DP1x would have been inevitable - the surprise being the DP1s in the middle. With the DP1x, Sigma has brought the physical design and operation of the two DP cameras together. The QS button, ISO performance and menu structure are now identical regardless of lens choice. with Sigma additionally taking the opportunity to provide a response to user's requests for clearer markings on the rear (though curiously, the markings remain screen printed on the back rather than in the recessed symbols on the buttons). Effectively doubling the platform's market, hopefully economies of scale will once again apply to the DP range and any future lens variations will also use the TRUE II and DP2's physical configuration.

As with the SD15, we were unable to test the performance or show the firmware/menu structure on these pre-production models, but as an effective DP2 variant the DP1x will almost certainly share the DP2's performance albeit with a 28mm F4 equivalent focal length.

Lenses

Sigma's trio of new lenses couldn't be studio in depth, but a quick glance revealed that the 70-200 F2.8 OS does perform very differently to the existing model. The new arrangement gives a totally different compositional tool and this will co-exist with the HSM II if Sigma chooses to market the two lenses together. The 8-16mm is really rather lovely, and the 85mm's designer has already produced the award winning 50mm prime. Pricing is unconfirmed at this stage.