Sigma Announces DP1s Photographer Frederick Sommer

Sigma DP1s Available in October

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Posted by Patrick on Oct 2, 2009 in Cameras

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Sigma Corporation of America has announced that the DP1s will be available in the U.S. by the end of October. They’ve also provided further insight on today’s release. From their press release:

Earlier today, Sigma Corporation announced the newest addition to the DP family, the Sigma DP1s. The Sigma DP1s is an improved version of the Sigma DP1, and both cameras contain the same processor, 14-megapixel FOVEON X3 direct image sensor and lens with a focal length of 16.6mm F4 (35mm equivalent focal length is 28mm).

The new Sigma DP1s features enhancements to its user interface that mimic that of the DP2 and will provide photographers with improved user capabilities. The DP1s also offers enhanced performance when shooting backlit subjects to further enrich the images it captures with superb resolution and richly graduated tones with a life-like, three-dimensional feel. Contrary to some reports, while the DP1s – like all DP cameras – can shoot separate RAW and JPEG files, it cannot shoot RAW and JPEG simultaneously.

“The DP1s is the latest addition to our DP line of high-definition, compact digital cameras. It will provide DP1 enthusiasts with the same narrow lens that they have come to know and love, but the user experience will be enhanced with more exceptional image quality in backlit situations and with an easier user interface, which now incorporates the Quick Set (QS) function,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. “We expect the DP1s to be available for purchase by the end of October. We look forward to sharing more information as soon as we know more about this camera’s availability and pricing.”

While we wait for word on “official” pricing, Amazon is already accepting pre-orders at $599. Now I assume some readers are likely confused by the DP1s, and what the difference would be from the DP2. The simple explanation is that the DPx is a fixed lens design, and the DP2’s 24.2mm f/2.8 lens (41mm equivalent) isn’t goin to be for everybody. Part of the appeal of the DP1 was the 16.6mm (28mm) lens which obviously provides more width, better suited for some types of photography, landscapes for instance. So the DP1s provides that length, but with some of the user enhancements introduced with the DP2.