 Camera of my dreams. |
| Review Date: May 31, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Nick Ross, |
I find I have a hard time describing this camera to some friends. If they know enough about cameras/photography I will delve into all the details about why it is so different and why I love it so much. But for those friends who are less knowledgeable I just tell it to them straight - "no it can't zoom, yes it's only 4.6MP, yes I paid $650 for it and it's worth every penny. It takes beautiful photos." I spent some quality time with this camera on a recent trip to Victoria, BC and here are my pros and cons:
PROS
1. Amazing image quality (pixel-perfect sharp and colors are especially stunning. Always shoot in RAW)
2. Small (likely to fit in any coat pocket)
CONS
1. Sometimes you will miss candid opportunities because autofocus and shot to shot times are not super snappy. If you tend to be a "capture-the-moment-trigger-happy photographer, this will probably get on your nerves. If you are more of a composition photographer, it likely won't.
2. Low-light autofocus is a bit useless. Pop it into manual.
3. The lens cap sucks. Really, Sigma. It needs to be tighter.
4. Some say the LCD isn't bright enough for sunny conditions. I personally didn't have a problem seeing the info I needed to see to properly set up shots. But it is certainly not as well-suited for reviewing shots.
I may have listed more cons but for me the 2 pros far outweigh them. I list them so others know what they are getting into. This is not a camera for the masses. Then again, maybe that's why I love it so much. |
Little camera great image
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| Review Date: May 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Ken, |
After using this camera for a few days I really had a difficult time rating the Sigma DP2 with a 4 star or 5 star rating. Yes, the camera is slow to focus in dim light and the user interface is difficult and convoluted. However, the image quality it produces is superb! When all thing are considered, the pluses far out weight the negatives. The camera is capable of producing a technically excellent image, the rest is up to the photographer.
This may not be a beginners camera however, when a person works around the cranky aspects the results are top notch.
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Amazing Piece of PHOTO Gear
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| Review Date: July 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: PhotoSF, |
Breakthrough piece of Technology that actually changes the way you view photography and the way photograph's look. Longtime, 30 ++ year's user of Canon product's, from Ftb and F-1n to G1, G5 and G10. Alway's satisfied and NO problem's. Just didn't like how my photo's looked coming out of the G10. How did Canon, Nikon, etc. miss this? Kind of Ironic that I purchased my DP2 a couple of weeks after Kodak killed Kodachrome !! I know there doesn't seem to be alot of Gray Area when it come's to opinion's about the DP2, but seeing is believing. Ergonomic issue's are a very tiny piece of THIS pie ! Don't buy the DP2 if you are just viewing photo's on your Monitor or are file sharing. You need to see image's printed BIG !! Try a Canon, Epson or HP large format Pigment Printer. (I'm using a Epson 3800). Yowee !! I hope Sigma manage's to hang with this product. Cheap at $650.
UPDATE:
Four month's down the road and the Photo's keep getting better !! Great FUN !! However, to reiterate, this is in effect, for me, a manual camera. (in my case, the manual white balance is most important (and very accurate, checked with a Gossen Luna Pro Color Temp Meter). Haven't upgraded the software and the auto focus works just fine. Still amazed at the color fidelity and low noise. (RAW of course) Geezz, if you are interested in taking Photo's BUY this camera !!
PS. Have the megapixel wars ended? Canon's G11 10 megapixel vs. the G10's 14+ megapixels? Why bother with the Bayer Sensor at all, just go directly to the Foveon !! |
Photographic Perfection
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| Review Date: September 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Daniel M. Ihde, |
I have had a little over a week to get used to my DP2 and I am thrilled with it. I also own a Canon 50d and am happy to say that this little DP2 outshines the 50d in terms of photo quality. Of course the 50d has its obvious advantages of more frames/sec, interchangeable lenses, etc. (Yes I am using L lenses 135f/2, 200f/2.8, 300f/4 and 400f5.6) But, in just over a week of use I have gotten images with the DP2 that otherwise would not have been obtainable. I don't know what disadvantages can negate that. I will still keep the 50d for sports, action and so forth. But when I want to catch that beautiful sunset, or colorful close up there will be no question which camera I will reach for. If I want to pack a camera along for a bicycle ride the DP2 will get the call. If I don't want to walk around making a spectacle of myself with a canon body and L lens, but still want to record professional photo's, the DP2 will get the call there too. So on, and so forth.
The only complaint I have with the DP2 is the short battery charge time. I attribute some of that to shooting in RAW format and the large file sizes to transfer to the memory card. Never the less the batteries should stay charged longer in my opinion.
I have heard complaints of the LCD. I am scratching my head because I don't have a problem with the LCD at all. In fact mine is turned down to one notch above the dimmest and I still use it in bright sunlight to focus. I only do that to preserve the battery time. Even that is sufficient for me to use in broad, bright daylight.
In short, I grew up with a Pentax K1000. With the Pentax I had to think about what I was doing with the camera. If I messed up it cost me in time and in film and I learned. What I learned made me appreciate the art of photography so much more. The DP2 is a similar camera. It will make you think about light, exposure, ... If you care to spend some time with this little gem your photography will soar. If average snapshots at 8 frames per second is your thing, then this is probably not your camera.
One last comment, use the DP2 in RAW format. Thats where it truly excels and it is beautiful.
****************UPDATE FEBRUARY 2010*****************************
I thought so much of the sensor in the DP-2, I purchased the SD-14. The SD-14 is an equally capable camera with the benefits of using SLR lenses. I compared the SD-14 to the Canon 50D I had. After seeing the results, I sold the Canon equipment I had and now happily own the DP-2 as well as the SD-14. |
sigma dp2
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| Review Date: June 7, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Steven R. Lawrie, australia |
this is not an easy camera to use. I use a 5d and take a lot of photos. I wanted a go everywhere camera.The auto focus is slow - the manual focus is not so great because the lcd is not so great. Maybe the viewfinder will help. I'll buy one soon because despite the faults this camera is worth keeping.
Dont buy this if you want to photograph people - the auto focus is too slow.
There is just something about the photos this camera can take. When the focus is bang on its great. But its more than that. These pictures don't look like photos taken with other digital cameras.
I put them into photoshop and need to do nearly nothing to them - especially the B&W.
Use this camera if you can use an slr. Use this camera if you have patience. Don't use this camera if you want a quick auto focus.
If you can be patient and if you can put up with slow(ish) write times you will like this. If you are used to an slr and want a walk aroud , you will love this.
This is a great point and shoot but not a point and shoot for somebody who can't use an slr. In terms of sharpness etc it may not be better than some others - the panasonics/ leicas, the g10 etc. However, the photos this produces make it stand apart from them. The dymnamic range is great. But its something about the colour and the contrast. I have used all the named above so can make that judgement.
I really wanted a digital rangefinder and coudn't afford one right now. This is not a leica or even an epson but these pictures have a certain chartacter in the same way that rangefinder images do to me. They don't compare, no question of that - but I have not been disappointed. These are not your usual digital images and I love them for it. They may not be leica images by a long way but there is still something unique about them that makes them stand out and they are undoubtedly comaparable with some dslr images.
I love film but also love the convenience of digital. So I use alien skin etc in photoshop. To my eyes, this is giving me something of the halfway house with minimal help from photoshop.
Give it a go if you are prepared to take your time and dont want quick auto focus and particularly if you want something against the grain, that stands apart from the usual crisp, clean digital image; an image with character earned by the camera and not just by photoshop.
If you can use a cmaera you can make good with this. Not a point and shoot for someone who wants a simple point and shoot. You can find quicker and cheaper point and shoots. You will get the most of this if you understand the basics of camera controls, have patience and appreciate film. |
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