Sometimes I suspect that one reason companies announce things so far in advance of their actual release is because it means they get to show the product at more than one photo show. I noticed (with a certain bemusement) that Pentax is announcing its medium-format digital camera yet again. This thing has been doing duty as an upcoming product at photo shows for so many years now that I wonder if it qualifies as some sort of Orwellian perma-vaporware, as unending as the distant wars in 1984 (or Afghanistan). I'll probably have snow-white hair and not be able to remember the way to my rocker and I'll still be reading about the Pentax medium-format digital camera that's just about to be released. Generally, it seems a condition of the New World: seasons flash past with a cloud of promised products always hovering tantalizingly just out of view. Imagine the money our strapped car companies could save if they could keep showing the same new models and the same concept cars at show after show, year after year. It would sure beat the challenge of having to come up with something new for every exhibition.
Sigma has renewed its promissory note for its upcoming DP2 large-sensor compact at Las Vegas, by unveiling a flashy website (the adjective is chosen advisedly) with some impressive new samples, one of which is above. Sigma can take its time with the DP2 as far as I'm concerned, though, as long as it gets the details right when the product finally gets here. The first iteration of the concept—the DP1—was fascinating, but some of its highlights were, um, lowlights, mainly having to do with several kinds of speed—lens speed, for one, and raw throughput speed if I remember correctly. Many wholly-new products are vastly improved by their second major iteration, however, after the product's public has time to sort out its pecadilloes and the project engineers have time to respond.
You can't really tell a whole lot from a website that moves slowly from scenic to scenic with soporific Satie in the background, or from a handful of online samples. But one thing I could tell from the samples is that ƒ/2.8 is likely to be a fully usable aperture on the DP2. Remember, with lenses—especially fixed ones—especially slowish fixed ones—it's not only important what the widest aperture is, it's also important that the widest aperture be fully usable. Meaning, the performance wide open can't exact too much of an optical penalty, something wide-open apertures often do. Long ago I had a camera that I really liked that had a fixed ƒ/4 lens, but the lens ended up limiting the camera too much: ƒ/4 was a useless aperture. Performance was so bad at that setting that you had to stop down at least to ƒ/5.6 to get it to behave. And that was just too slow in those days, pretty much limiting shooting to broad daylight. I lugged around a tripod with that camera for a while, and did take some very nice pictures with it, but what the experience mainly taught me was that I do not want to lug around a tripod.
But I digress. The point is that five of Sigma's 17 sample DP2 images were shot wide open, enough to make it easy to see that the DP2's faster ƒ/2.8 lens's ƒ/2.8 aperture is plenty sharp enough to make it a fully usable setting (the earring is a tiny detail of the second-to-last sample—sharp enough for me). So, then, good news—so far. Let's hope that that langorous Satie is not a reflection on the new camera's responsiveness in other respects. Now we resume waiting, patiently, still with our fingers crossed and our eyes on the prize, hoping not too many more shows go past before this interesting camera actually appears.
UPDATE: The U.K. magazine Amateur Photographer is reporting that the DP2 is due in the U.S. later this month, with U.K. availability still several months away. Thanks to William Wragg for this intelligence.
Econo-hunkering. That's what I'm doing.
Dunno. Maybe it's just me, but the current economic climate has distinctly unexcited about ANY photo product I've seen announced so far this year. Mike knows from my prior postings and e-mail that I am a certified gear head. If I am looking over at my D3 and saying like Han Solo to his ship the Millennium Falcon, "hold together baby" AND if I am representative of the gear-obsessed consumer, it's going to be rough sledding for the photo industry as a whole for the next couple of years. Now where did I see that ad for a new S-mount Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar?
Ben Marks
Posted by: Benjamin Marks | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 10:07 AM
Mike, is there an estimated release date associated with this camera?
I'm drooling over it... but my compact point & shoot is near death so I don't know if I should wait or just get an LX-3.
Posted by: John | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 10:26 AM
We have an embarrassment of riches as far as choices of amazing photo gear. Unfortunately, there is a slight lack of the monetary riches.
Posted by: Clayton Lofgren | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 11:02 AM
Couldn't do it, Mike.
Couldn't watch that whole intro. I'm selective about how I waste my time.
Hope they got those speed issues worked out, but as a newly downtrodden downsizing for the downturn, by the time I could afford this camera, there may be DP4 vaporware to consider.
Posted by: mikeinmagog | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 11:33 AM
I'm camera-ed up probably for the rest of my life! But the DP2 is the only camera that I've been eager to see. I've never touched a DP1 but was piqued by its promise. It's implementation chilled my jets.
I'm hoping that Sigma would learn its lesson and perhaps deliver a DP2 that better fulfilled that promise. But the more I learn about the DP2, and the more sizzle Sigma wafts into the air, the lower my hopes. At this point, based on what little I've learned, I'll probably pass on it again.
Posted by: Ken Tanaka | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 12:10 PM
Mike, is the DP2 really going to be an upgrade from the DP1? The very different lens would indicate to me that it might just be sold alongside the DP1, and I haven't seen any evidence suggesting that the DP2 improves significantly on the DP1 in any major way. I remain thoroughly unconvinced that the DP2 will be a better camera for most people than the Canon G10 or the Panasonic LX3.
Posted by: T | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 12:11 PM
I'm a big fan of the DP-1. OK, so it's not the most perfect camera ever, sometimes it's a pain to use, but I've always been dead chuffed by the pictures I get out of it, which just (to me, anyway) seem so much better than what I'd been getting out of my old Canon 400D.
The DP-2 sounds great, and it's tempting, but I'd need to try and trade off my DP-1 to subsidise it.
But what would be really cool? A DP-3, with a lens mount and a few good primes. Something like the Panasonic G1 or that new Samsung NX, but without the cod-SLR styling (maybe more like the Olympus mock-up), with that excellent foveon sensor.
That would rock.
Posted by: Antony Shepherd | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 12:16 PM
I think Sigma may have missed the boat on this one. First, after reviewing the DP1, I have doubts as to how good the handling will be on this camera. There was really no excuse for the DP1 to handle like a camera from the early days of point and shoots. Second, it is going to be competing with the new 4/3rds systems which also have high def video, interchangeable lenses and a host of other cool aspects. Some of the upcoming Olympus models are quite small as well. I guess if the price is low enough it may make it, but the DP1 was overpriced.
Ed
Posted by: Edward Taylor | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 12:47 PM
I should add, though, that there is something indescribable about the fovean sensor. Some of the images it produces are well above expectations.
Ed
Posted by: Edward Taylor | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 12:49 PM
I was just looking at these samples myself, and I agree, f2.8 looks really good. Sharp focus, decent bokeh. I wish they had shown some samples at higher ISOs though. The DP1 did not excel there.
Posted by: Andy Marfia | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 12:58 PM
Have a look at this link for Sigma dates:
Amateur Photographer
Posted by: William Wragg | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 01:55 PM
Am I the only one who doesn't want to pay a significant amount of money to be restricted to 41mm?
Not even an homage to the late great Douglas Adams?
Not 28mm or 24mm or 35mm or even 50mm. Why 41mm?
Posted by: Gingerbaker | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 03:11 PM
Gingerbaker,
Since you asked...
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-may-05.shtml
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 03:37 PM
I just hope Sigma gets in the micro4/3 wagon so we can test the Foveon sensor on the future Zuikos, Leicasonic & al. Even with poor handling maybe we'll get an extraordinary "non-bayered daytime camera" next to the yet to be Olympus camera. With one in each pocket, choice is really a good thing.
José S.
Posted by: José Santos | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 05:39 PM
Gingerbaker,
Since you asked...
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-may-05.shtml
Mike
Thanks, Mike.
I get it now. :)
Posted by: Gingerbaker | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 05:53 PM
I'm excited by this camera and by the other recent attempts at a compact camera with a high quality sensor. The fixed focal length works fine for me - in the age of digital editing it allows you so much more flexibility in cropping the image to frame the picture exactly the way you want it that a zoom is less important for me. If the trade off is that it doesn't go truly wide in exchange for excellent resolution AND shallow depth of field in a compact camera - I'll take it. The one niggle I have is that I wish these cameras would include a little on board flash as putting a large external flash on these cameras pretty much negates the pocketable aspect of them.
Posted by: PleasureSean | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 06:24 PM
Longtime readers will know that the DP-2 missed Mike's favorite focal length by a single millimeter - close enough I guess. It's worth downloading the PDF brochures to take a look at the additional samples, they are very impressive. Anti-shake technology would really put this camera over the top...
Posted by: Mark S. | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 07:59 PM
A viewfinder, a viewfinder, my kingdom for a viewfinder!
But you gotta love those Foveon blues-so to speak. The colors are truly scrumptious, and the blues are quite different from any digital camera picture I've seen, other than the Sigma SD series DSLRs.
Posted by: Mani Sitaraman | Friday, 06 March 2009 at 10:54 PM
I think this may well be the camera to replace my Canon 5D, allowing me to climb off inexorable upgrade train to 5D2 and beyond.
I am using my Zeiss Ikon more and more for "artistic" work, and will likely end up with the Mamiya 7II at some point. But the convenience of digital as a snapshot go-everywhere camera won't go away and this camera's size and IQ look just perfect to me.
If it's not the DP2 then it will be one of the M4/3 cameras. I prefer the DP2 form factor to the G1. 40mm is perfect for me. I used to love 28mm on the 1.6 crop.
Posted by: Craig Arnold | Saturday, 07 March 2009 at 06:34 AM
Assuming i could afford it, and the economy, etc etc. I am interested.
The DP1 attracted my interest, but the apparent slowness of its operation/processor was for me a deal breaker.
But, IF they have improved the processing speed, this one is for me, even more interesting. It would though be a spendy little toy, ecspecially since i would only buy one with the "optional" viewfinder.
I am a user of the "normal" lense perspective. My current carry-a-round camera is a Nikon D60 with the 35mm f/2 AF attached. For me, the 43mm 35mm equiv. POV is the main point.
Posted by: jay moynihan | Saturday, 07 March 2009 at 07:38 AM
Given the hot shoe you are free to add a VF to the camera at any time if that is your wish. Personally I don't know that it's entirely necessary.
I hope this camera is cheaper and more responsive/better handling than the DP1. I'd really like a cheap entry point into playing with the Foveon sensor. That little crappy Polaroid branded generic point and shoot that came out a while back doesn't count. At the right price point I'd be willing to give up the focal length flexibility for that.
Posted by: Peter | Saturday, 07 March 2009 at 08:02 AM
Sigma's fancy but slow website does nothing to dispel the impression that their cameras look great but are sluggish operationally. Didn't their marketing department think of the impression they are creating?
Posted by: Mike | Saturday, 07 March 2009 at 11:44 AM
Don't know about you people in the polluted smoggy skies of the northern hemisphere, but a sunny day here in New Zealand renders almost any LCD useless in outside daylight - any eye-level VF is virtually necessity be it optical or electronic.
I had high hopes for the DP1 but the price and the slow operation put me off. But now Olympus looks to give us a DP-size body with interchangeable lenses then its future will really depend on state-of-the-art operational performance and a competitive price because it will take more than just the sensor to win me over now.
Posted by: Wolfie | Sunday, 08 March 2009 at 06:19 AM
I have a DP1, even though my preferred focal length is 50mm. The DP1 suits my needs better. They claim improvements in speed, but that's not really saying much considering how slow the DP1 was, and the high-ISO performance on the DP1 was also underwhelming. When you can abide by its limitations, the image quality on the DP1 is absolutely stunning, however.
At the moment, I am debating whether to get a DP2 or a LX3/D-Lux 4.
Posted by: Fazal Majid | Sunday, 08 March 2009 at 06:47 AM
I couldn't possibly be more excited (or hopeful) for the Sigma DP2. That lens sounds dead perfect to me. What could be easier than pre-visualizing a picture with a camera that sees the same angle of view that you do. As long as it hits the requisite check boxes...
-modest raw buffer
-reasonable AF
-decent at up to iso 800
...it'll be a no brainer. Personally, I find it impossible to overstate how important it is that this camera allows for at least some background separation at modest shooting distances. This is the first and only pocketable digital camera with that capability.
Posted by: Andre | Monday, 09 March 2009 at 12:00 PM