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A First Look at the Sigma DP1s

9 comments

Posted by Patrick on Dec 13, 2009 in Cameras, Featured Content, Reviews

A First Look at the Sigma DP1s

472377Regular readers of Neutralday will inevitably be quite familiar with our editor’s (ahem, me) infatuation with all things Foveon. Earlier this year we tested and reviewed the Sigma DP2, and honestly we’ve been quite heartbroken since it’s left the studio. I suppose most folks will now be well aware of the DP2’s shortcomings, but for those who don’t, a quick recap:

  • Low res, and misleading, LCD display
  • AF is slower than most, and struggles in lower light
  • Interface a bit dated
  • Lack of bells and whistles. No auto, image stabilization, “fireworks” mode, face detection, etc.
  • Smallish file sizes

On the plus side:

  • Razor sharp lens
  • Incredible image quality
  • Compact size

So that’s the DP2. What about the DP1s? Ok, the DP1s basically brings the DP2’s “Quick Set” function to the DP1, by assigning it to the zoom button on the back of the camera. In addition it adds the ability to shoot separate RAW and JPEGs, and Sigma claims the DP1s has “improved performance when shooting backlit subjects”. If you have a DP1, I don’t see a pressing need to get a DP1s, if you don’t have one, deciding between a DP2 and DP1s comes down to focal length preference. The DP1s offers a 28mm equivalent f/4 lens, while the DP2 offers a 41mm lens at f/2.8. Both cameras work near identically, and more importantly, both provide seriously satisfying image quality.

Getting a Sigma DP1s

You can order the DP1s from Amazon. If 28mm isn’t your type of focal range, the DP2’s 41mm is also available, and in stock at both B&H Photo and Amazon. I order or walk into B&H Photo for all my gear so of course I recommend them. They’ve got great prices and a lot of their inventory ships for free. Additionally by purchasing your gear through our links and ads, you also support our site at the same time, and that means I get to review more gear!

dp1s

Quick Take

So we’ve been using the DP1s for a couple of weeks now, and everything we’ve said about the DP2 applies here. If you’re comfortable with manual controls (DSLR users), then the DP1s will be no problem. The AF is still on the slow side, but it’s predictable, and for landscape type work, it isn’t a problem at all. My least favorite aspect remains the LCD. It’s low in resolution, so seeing focus isn’t easy, and it doesn’t do a great job at showing the scene ahead of you, or display the best looking capture. This is driven home when you open the files in Sigma Photo Pro, and recover from the shock of how good the captures look, (in small part because of how they looked on the LCD). But the images look really good, loads of sharpness and edge detail, especially in the front of the picture plane. You’ve got some wide-angle distortion, but nothing major unless you’re shooting brick walls, which of course, I did. Overall though, the image quality is up to the same level as the DP2, and likely identical to the DP1. For most enthusiasts this will mean some very enjoyable time pouring over your results full screen on a large monitor.

We’ll have more on the DP1s once we’re done testing, but to tide you over, I’ve included a few image samples. The DP1s lends itself quite well to black and white conversions, so I’ve include some of those. The unedited originals can be had here.

Image Samples

Click for an expanded view.

Sigma DP1s Bucky 900

sigma-dp1s-bird-900

Sigma-DP1s-curtain-900

sigma-dp1s-fruit-900

sigma dp1s sign 900

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9 Responses to “A First Look at the Sigma DP1s”

  1. Sam says:
    December 15, 2009 at 9:26 am

    Not a lot of straight shots here, you massaged the images quite a bit, so it’s difficult to see the real results form the camera. The first image has burned-out highlights in the snow, no detail.

    As usual for the Sigmas image quality is okay if you shoot in bright light without a moving subject. But it’s a significant tradeoff for most uses, I think.

    reply
    • Patrick says:
      December 15, 2009 at 10:08 pm

      Hi Sam, I provided links for the full size unedited images. I generally like to show what’s possible on site, and keep the originals at flickr…(where they have more storage and resources).

      reply
    • Peter says:
      April 3, 2010 at 1:38 pm

      One big change that most reviews miss is the DP1 has ISO100, the DP1s has ISO50.

      So the intensity of the photograph moves up a level in good light on the DP1s.

      The other thing that has happened recently is that Vesion 4 of SIGMA
      Photo Pro has become available. This also seems to improve the image quality. Don’t pretend to understand why, but when I switched to the Version 4, I was pleasantly suprised.

      reply
      • Patrick says:
        April 3, 2010 at 11:32 pm

        Peter,
        that’s a good point, one well worth noting. I’m noticing the same thing as you with the SPP 4, we’re currently looking at the DP2 with the new firmware, and in looking at results in SPP4 I do see improvements.

        reply
  2. pascal georges says:
    August 16, 2010 at 6:40 am

    What is fascinating is the lens / camera combo (DP1 & DP2)
    Recently bought a DP1s, to give it a try (279€… less than a p&s!),
    I shouldn’t have : I’m hooked & considering the SD15 next…
    I think you need a good lens to get the maximum out of SD15?
    What lens / camera combo then? I’ve seen an offer -1385€- with 20mm f1.8 (dg asph ex)… looks ok, what do you think?

    reply
    • Patrick says:
      August 16, 2010 at 8:02 am

      pascal,
      you will indeed want Sigma’s best glass to get the most out of the SD15, the magical results of the DP1 and DP2 cameras is the result of very sharp lenses and the foveon, not just the foveon. I spent this entire weekend in NYC with the SD15, using their 50mm f/1.5 and the 24-70 f/2.8 I’ve got some really nice results…

      reply
    • pascal georges says:
      August 16, 2010 at 8:28 am

      thank you very much for your quick reply…
      20mm actually seems (mtf chart) a step lower than 24-70 f2.8
      cheers,

      pascal.

      reply
      • Patrick says:
        August 21, 2010 at 9:45 pm

        I think the 24-70 is a pretty nice lens, can’t say I’ve tried many Sigma mount lenses, but my work tends to look for a lot of center sharpness and I don’t worry about the rest. For me the DP1s is a bit too wide, So the SD15 is a nice solution since it adds the lens versatility. A reasonably sharp lens and the foveon sensor equals the sharpest edge detail I’ve ever seen, a big part of the foveon’s “3D look”

        reply

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