DxOMark Examines the Nikon D5000 and Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Surprised at Results Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Macro Review at Let’s Go Digital

Incoming: The Sigma DP2

3 comments

Posted by Patrick on Jun 13, 2009 in Cameras

Just wanted to let you guys know that it looks like we’ll be getting our review unit of the Sigma DP2 early next week. Obviously, I’m very excited to try this unique camera out and of course share all the details here at the site. Also, a big “Thank You” to Sigma for providing us with the review unit, they seem to be an enthusiastic group over there, and emphasized the “having fun” aspect to photography (remember that?).

That said, one of the questions Sigma asks in it’s promotional website for the DP2 is: “Have you ever been truly excited by a photo you took recently?” Of course as a Canon 5D Mark II owner, I’m frequently blown away by photos I’ve taken, in fact you just end up taking tons of photos to pour over all the detail, and enjoy the sheer size of the 5D2 files. But if you phrased the question, “…excited by a compact photo…”, the answer is certainly no for me, and likely many others.  That is excepting of course what I’ve seen from the DP1 and now the DP2.

For me, the image quality coming from the Foveon X3 sensor is unmistakably better than any other current compact camera, and regardless of camera size, has a certain clarity and “cleanness” that you don’t see in other images. When others say they don’t recognize anything unique about the DP2’s image quality, I find myself puzzled. But, it’s frequently explained by additional comments to the effect of “my (insert DSLR name here) takes pictures just as good or better”.  Well, yeah….that’s kind of the whole point.

I realize of course that the DP2 is somewhat of a controversial camera, and as a point and shoot camera, it’s not going to win gold medals for ease of use, but I really think that misses the point. I can’t really imagine using the DP2 in a point and shoot type context, there’s something significantly more “artistic” about than that. I know some will say this is making excuses, but compact consumers are always excusing, either knowingly or unknowingly, truly excellent image quality. They do so for ease of use, convenience, etc. I think many a photographer, and certainly myself, think that image quality should be the last thing one should ever excuse, it is after all, a big part of why I’m taking pictures in the first place!

Of course my opinion of the DP2 may completely change over the coming month, but I plan on having this camera with me all the time, sharing the results, and pointing out the good, bad, and everything else in-between. As I said I’m excited, I have a feeling it will be fun month.

Continue the Discussion

facebook-logo-square

Join us on Facebook! Become a fan of Neutralday today!

Become a fan of Neutralday on Facebook. Interact with us and stay updated on what's coming next at Neutralday, photography news, and other fans' insights.

twitterlogo

Follow us on Twitter! Grab our tweets right here.

Follow Neutralday on Twitter. Insights on the cameras we're reviewing, and frequent photography related news, thoughts, and links.

Support Neutralday by shopping at our preferred retailer, B&H Photo

Explore Similar Posts


3 Responses to “Incoming: The Sigma DP2”

  1. Hans says:
    June 13, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Hi, I’m looking forward to your review on the Sigma DP2! Good luck with that. But I’ve always wondered, how do you get a review unit from a camera manufacturer? Just ask them?

    reply
  2. Eolake Stobblehouse says:
    June 14, 2009 at 7:39 pm

    Small-sensor cameras need not be as inferior as many think, at reasonable ISO settings. Look here for a set taken with my Canon Ixus 960, a shirt-pocket camera.

    reply

Leave a Reply