Sigma DP2 Image Quality: The Wow Factor

I managed to get away yesterday and hit one of my favorite spots for pictures, Bash Bish Falls. In tow, the Sigma DP2 and the Olympus E-620. This was my first outing with the DP2, so I was more than a little excited to see how it worked and what it could bring home. As a camera, the DP2 is very straight forward. If you’re a photographer you’ll know just what to do, beginners might be a bit confused (no “intelligent auto?”). Of course, this is a camera for photographers, everything about it seems oriented in that direction from the removable lens cap, the neck strap, fixed length f/2.8 lens, and simplistic design. The menu system is very basic, but effective. There’s a “quick screen” that I like for getting to ISO, metering, flash, and white balance settings. Picking an AF point is easy too, press the AF button, and you get a choice of 9 points. About that AF, it’s noisy but I’m not having any issues with it thus far (camera shipped with firmware 1.01). What you’ve heard about the LCD is true, you get the distinct feeling in the field that you might be missing out. When I got home to look at the images, my theory was quickly confirmed. The images opened up in the included Sigma Photo Pro are vivid and beautiful right out of the camera, there was a literal wow factor. Wow.

A few samples for you. These are all at f/8 and ISO 100. Processed very little using Sigma Photo Pro (exposure, fill, etc.). I highly recommend the full size images. Not one highlight blown by the way, thanks in part to the live histogram.

original size

original size

original size

Continue the Discussion

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. 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

• Firmware Upgrades Available for Sigma DP2 and DP2s
• Sigma 8-16mm F/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Lens Is Now Available
• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Gets Priced
• Sigma DP2s Early Impressions and Image Samples
• Sigma Updates Photo Pro Software

1. 

   Hans says:

   June 17, 2009 at 10:49 am

   Great, you got it! Very good quality indeed. Looking forward to more photos and the review.

   reply
2. 

   Patrick says:

   June 17, 2009 at 12:00 pm

   Thanks Hans. I must say I’m very pleased with what the camera is bringing home…

   reply
3. 

   AlexAgBr says:

   October 3, 2009 at 10:26 am

   This display doesn’t sound like a fault to me, more like a feature to resemble a classic camera where you have to wait for your pictures to be processed!
   This is probably what a ‘70-ies camera would look like if they could use that technology back then!
   Just right..,

   reply
   • Patrick Dean says:

     October 3, 2009 at 11:34 am

     Alex,

     I really don’t think it’s a “feature”. But you do get over it pretty fast when you see the pics later.

     reply