This new camera uses the Foveon X3 direct image sensor, promising outstanding resolution and natural rendering with rich color gradients to give photographs a 3D feel. The camera has a three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine 2 processing engine to improve the processing speed and overall quality of images. The camera also has a Special Low Dispersion glass used in conjunction with aspherical lens elements to compensate for a variety of aberrations and allow the camera to have a more compact size.

The camera promises a minimum focus distance of 8.9-inches and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3 allowing for macro shooting. The camera also has a nine-point select mode allowing the user to select the desired focusing point from nine different frames. The camera also supports “free move mode” allowing the user to move the desired point of focus. Users can also take advantage of manual focus.

Another camera feature is a new Face Detection autofocus that prioritizes focus on the face of the subject detected by the sensor. The camera can shoot images in RAW+JPEG format and ships with software to convert RAW data quickly and easily. The camera can be pre-ordered right now for $999. The camera’s official page does show an MSRP of $1400 making it unclear if the $999 price tag is for pre-orders only.

[via Sigma]

The 30mm f/1.4 lens is designed for large-aperture APS-C format cameras, and the angle of view is equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm camera. The lens promises to deliver the highest level of image quality, thanks to a Hyper Sonic Motor for quiet, high-speed autofocusing, as well as a 9-blade rounded diaphragm that creates a bokeh effect. It also has a brass bayonet mount designed to withstand long-term use. The lens has been specifically optimized to reduce field curvature and improve focusing capabilities.

The 60mm f/2.8 DN lens is designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, as well as Sony E-mount shooters. It has an angle of view equivalent to 120mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The lens contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize chromatic aberration. The lens is specifically created for telephoto shooting and portrait work, and it will be available in both silver and black.

Sigma’s other new 30mm lens is a f/2.8 lens also meant for Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount cameras. This lens is meant for everyday shooting and is engineered as an all-around lens that you can anywhere. It’s also perfect for casual and formal portraiture, and documentary photography. The lens includes a double-sided aspherical lens that improves its optical performance.

Last, but not least, the 19mm f/2.8 DN is yet another Micro Four Thirds and E-mount lens that has an angle of view equivalent to 38mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 28.5mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). This lens is designed for street shooting, as well as landscape, architecture, and studio work.

Pricing and availability on these lenses have yet to be disclosed, but Sigma says that the 30mm f/1.4 lens is expected to arrive in a couple of months, while we have yet to hear a release window for the other three lenses.

The thought of a Google TV running on the tiny hardware platform that Sigma has is very interesting. The platform is tiny and is be small enough to hang from your outlet so you don’t need anything sitting in your entertainment center. The platform is so small and integrated that the only cord it needs for power, networking, and connectivity is a HDMI cable from the box to the HDTV. The platform gets its networking connectivity over the power line.

The Sigma reference platform also has Z-Wave RF tech integrated to allow for advanced remote control functionality as well. The Z-Wave tech lets the user place the device behind furniture where it is out of site and still get full remote control capability. It can also integrate into other systems with Z-Wave tech. The tech under the hood includes the SMP8670 media processor optimized to run Adobe AIR for TV, Flash Player, and other graphical over-the-top environments. It also has CG2110 Home Plug AV technology with ClearPath for networking.

The large photodiodes deployed capture light and give the DP2xhigh resolution and richly-graduated tones, Sigma says. The camera features the TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II image processing engine. It also includes a RAW data (X3F) recording mode for retaining full image capture detail, in addition to the standard JPEG recording format.

The price and release date have not yet been announced.

Press Release:

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma DP2x compact digital camera featuring a 14 megapixel FOVEON X3® direct image sensor (2,652× 1,768× 3 layers).

The new Sigma DP2x is the latest DP2 series model and incorporates AFE (Analog Front End) and faster autofocus. AFE is also used in the DP1x compact digital camera and SD15 digital SLR and converts full color data, which the FOVEON X3® capture system records, into a digital signal. This enables the camera to reproduce high definition and richly colored images. In addition, the new AF algorithm provides high speed autofocus, ensuring convenient shooting.

SLR-sized image sensor
The size of the image sensor used in the DP2x camera is 20.7mm x 13.8mm. It is approximately seven to twelve times larger than sensors used in ordinary compact digital cameras. The large photodiodes deployed capture light efficiently and give the DP2x its high resolution and richly-graduated tones.

Full-colour image sensor
Utilising the special features of silicon, which is penetrated to different depths by different wavelengths of light, this 14 megapixel direct image sensor succeeds in full-colour capture with the full RGB in a single-pixel location.

TRUE II image processing engine
The DP2x incorporates the “TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II” image processing engine which improves the processing speed and overall image quality. The unique image-processing algorithm provides high resolution and reproduces high definition images with richly graduated tones.

AFE (Analogue Front End)
AFE (Analogue Front End) converts the colour data, which full-colour capture systems record, to a digital signal. This enables the camera to reproduce high definition and richly coloured images.

24.2mm F2.8 lens
The DP2x is equipped with a 24.2mm F2.8 large aperture lens, equivalent to 41mm on a 35mm SLR camera, which has been designed exclusively for DP2 series. Two high refractive index elements and two molded glass aspherical lenses provide superior image quality and allow its compact construction.

RAW format recording
The DP2x includes JPEG recording format for convenience plus a RAW data (X3F) recording mode for retaining full image capture detail of the utmost quality. The RAW images can be processed in the supplied Sigma PhotoPro software.

[via DPReview.com]

The camera stores photos to a TYPE I CF card and does not support TYPE II CF cards. The autofocus system in the camera uses an 11 point twin cross sensor that improves the accuracy of the autofocus. The sealed design will keep moisture and dust from entering the camera body.

The SD1 has a 3-inch rear TFT LCD with a resolution of 460K pixels. The camera supports more that 40 Sigma lenses already on the market. Other features include a manual pop-up flash, hot shoe connector, and more. You might notice one glaring feature missing is video recording. At 46MP, this bad boy is pretty much aimed at the pro and they are presumably less likely to want to shoot video. Pricing is unknown, but this won’t be cheap.

Via DPReview

Video demos after the cut

The Sigma SD15 has a 3-inch 460k pixel LCD display, 77-segment AE sensor, ISO up to 3200, and an SD card slot.  It also has a buffer capable of holding up to 21 RAW images at once for burst shooting, and the company’s TRUE II image processing engine; the company will bundle their Sigma Photo Pro 4.0 app with the DSLR, specially developed to make the most of all that extra pixel data.

[via Photography BLOG]

Press Release:

Sigma SD15 DSLR camera now available for estimated street price of $989

Latest model in SD series boasts enhanced image quality, more pixels and faster processor

Ronkonkoma, NY, June 30, 2010 – Sigma Corporation of America (http://www.sigmaphoto.com), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce that the company’s highly anticipated SD15 digital SLR camera is now available in the United States for the estimated street price of $989.

The SD15 is the latest model in Sigma’s SD series, which previously consisted of the SD9, SD10, and now includes the SD14. The DSLR has been developed to produce superior image quality with improved processing speed, operation and performance, and its 14-megapixel Foveon X3 direct image sensor can capture all primary RGB colors at each pixel location arranged in three layers. The SD15’s “TRUE II” image processing engine helps the camera process a large amount of data, while producing high-resolution, high-definition images with impressive three-dimensional detail and rich gradation.

“Our plans for the SD15 were originally shared with the photo community at photokina in 2008 because we wanted our customers to know that we’re committed to the SD camera system and our outstanding Foveon technology,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. “It’s been long-awaited, for sure, but it’s worth the wait. We are really pleased with the image quality we’re getting from this camera.”

In addition to the enhanced processing speed from the TRUE II engine, the SD15 adopts the SD card and incorporates a highly visible 3.0 inch LCD monitor with 460,000 pixels and greater pixel density, a new, 77-Segment AE sensor, an Analog Front End (AFE), and an extra ISO stop at 3200. The SD15’s buffer is also larger than its predecessor’s, allowing 21 raw images to be shot continuously, as opposed to six, and the camera has an improved user interface.

The Sigma SD15 comes with the company’s new Sigma Photo Pro (SPP) 4.0 software, which features new, user-controlled noise sliders that allow for greater control over detail rendering in images taken at ISO 400 and higher, and special algorithms that were specifically developed for processing SD15 raw files. Like earlier versions of the software, SPP 4.0 also contains the X3 Fill Light function, which allows users to easily add light to shaded areas of an image, without overexposing highlighted areas.

In March of 2008, Sigma introduced a high-end compact digital camera, the DP1, which uses the same large image sensor as featured in Sigma’s digital SLR cameras. That camera was soon followed by the DP2, DP1s, DP1x and DP2s. The DP and SD series have established a strong following from a wide range of amateur and professional photographers.

For information about the SD15, visit http://www.sigmaphoto.com. To view an SD15 sample image photo gallery visit http://www.sigma-sd.com/SD15/sample-photo/index.html and to view video tutorials of the SD15 camera and the SPP software, visit Sigma Corporation of America’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/SigmaAmerica

About Sigma Corporation
For nearly 50 years, Sigma Corporation’s expertise and innovation has driven the company’s core philosophy of “knowledge, plus experience, plus imagination,” with an emphasis on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology at moderate prices. This family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 50 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus and Pentax. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. For information, please visit http://www.sigmaphoto.com.

There’s also a 3-inch LCD display and the company’s True II image processor as found on the Sigma DP-series of cameras.  A 77-segment AE sensor and AFE (Analog Front End) round out the main specs, and images are saved to SD card.

The Sigma SD15 will apparently arrive on June 25th 2010, but the price has risen in the intervening period.  Having initially been expected to drop at €899 ($1,082), the SD15 now has an MRSP of €1,199 ($1,443).

[via PhotographyBLOG and via PhotoScala]

The compact digital camera has a 14MP Foveon X3 sensor. The camera is Sigma’s follow-up to the DP2 that landed last April. The DP2s has a new autofocus algorithm for faster focusing, power save mode fro more battery life, and a new rear design. The new camera also has the latest RAW image processing software.

The SP2s can record video at QVGA resolution of 320 x 240 at 30 fps. ISO sensitivity is up to 3200 in RAW mode. A full array of automatic shooting modes are built-in and the camera can shoot continuously at three frames per second for four JPEGs or three RAW images. The rear LCD is a 2.5-inch unit and a viewfinder is optional. Pricing and availability are unknown at this time.

They also made enhancements to Android libraries and the MIPS architecture so that the OS could run on a full-sized display at HD resolutions, rather than the more compact handset displays on Android smartphones.  While the specific Sigma SoC (system-on-chip) used for the prototype was not named, it’s possible that it’s their SMP8640-series chip already in use in Blu-ray players, STBs and other video devices.

Meanwhile MIPs also suggest that their enhancements to Android could make it useful for mobile internet devices (MIDs) and digital picture frames too; they’ll be releasing the changes at an unspecified point in the future, as part of their “MIPS32 architecture for Android” project.  There’s still no timescale for Android-based set-top boxes based on the new technology.

[via Linux For Devices]

Other features include a 24.2mm F2.8 lens with a Super Multi Layer Coating. This helps prevent flares and ghosting. RAW mode is possible with this camera, capturing video with a 1:1 brightness ratio and up to ISO 3,200. There are plenty of manual exposure adjustments as well as three auto exposure modes.

You can even add flash modules externally and 46mm filters or lenses. You really do have a lot of options with this camera, and even though it’s not a DSLR, it comes pretty close in terms of specs. We don’t know when the Sigma DP2 will be released, but you can pre-order it now for $650.

The new 24-70mm incorporated Hyper Sonic Motor and OS for quieter and faster Autofocus while providing mechanical stabilizer for best anti-blur feature performance. While attending PMA 2009, we got our hands on one to try out the optics sharpness at wide open. It wasn’t tested on an Alpha but the alternate mount shouldn’t be any different.

Don’t be alarmed by the Japanese retailed price tag of 130,000 yen ($1,318), for that much, I would probably go for Carl Zeiss glass. But it should be well below $800 when hitting retail stores in US.

We also rounded out the last of our PMA 2009 coverage, and if you’re in the market for a new DSLR, lens or camcorder this year, there’s plenty of exclusive content that you really want to check out.  SlashGear’s resident photography expert Daniel Lim has been playing with lenses from Sigma, SigZilla, and Meike, plus cameras from Panasonic, Sony, Canon and Fujifilm.  Remember, you can read all of our PMA 2009 coverage with the PMA tag

Elsewhere, Dell announced the Studio One 19 multitouch-capable desktop PC, and Microsoft revealed further details of their Windows Marketplace for Mobile appstore.  We also joined Sprint for a Palm Pre webcast, amid rumors that Telefonica had clinched the exclusivity deal for the GSM version of the smartphone.

Finally, SlashGear reviewed the iLuv i1155 Portable Multimedia Player, which has room both for your DVD collection and your iPod, together with joining AT&T’s Network Disaster Recovery team.  Coming up this week, we’ll be live-blogging Apple’s preview of iPhone OS 3.0, so join us on Tuesday, March 17th for the full coverage.

So, what’s fuzz about the small aperture digitally optimized extended zoom lens?

Couple weeks ago, we dropped by Sigma booth at PMA 2009 to get a first hand video intro and played with one. From a quick test, the OS (Optical Stabilizer) worked as advertised, focusing was quiet and fast thanks to the additional HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) that’s not presented at current 18-200mm version. Additionally, the zoom mechanism is much smoother than previous model without the “Stick-n-Slip” operation.

When will Sigma get this puppy out on the street? Current development is April and has a suggest retail at $799 for Canon mount. Given their track record, we’ll knock on wood and wait to see if there’s more put off to a later time.

The new sigma 24-70mm feels solid in the hand, 2.7oz heavier than previous model and has 14 elements in 12-group lens construction, as opposed to 12 elements in 14 groups. AF speed is fast, not much different from my 24-70L as far as I could tell, but the question is how does it perform wide open?

The images below are taken with the new Sigma on a Canon 5D mark II at 34mm, and with camera settings at ISO 800, F2.8 to F8. Shutter speed is listed below so you can be the judge if loss of detail was operator’s error or equipment’s hiccup. We meant to set it at widest end, but somehow we missed it. My guess was the zooming mechanism is slightly too tight; it was barely broken in, as were most of the Sigma lenses on the stand.

Full size images are converted with ACR at “zero” settings, so there’s neither noise reduction nor sharpness applied; and to ease the bandwidth, 70% JPEG compression was used to further reduce the picture size. The lens is available in the Canon version now at major online stores, and there are more coming for Nikon, Sigma, Pentax as well as Sony mounts.

F2.8, 1/160s, ISO 800

F4.0, 1/80s, ISO 800

F8.0, 1/25s, ISO 800

Another wide open shoot at F2.8, 1/200s, ISO 400

We were unable to get our 5D sequel to work on the Sizgilla, the aperture showed “00” and shifted erratically; that’s usually a sign of lens incompatible or a filthy electronic contact, and we were pretty sure the contact was clean. When questioned, the rep didn’t know if it was certified with the Canon 5D Mark II or not. I’m sure some of you are probably familiar with Sigma’s rechipping process on old lenses to work with newer bodies. It got to be a pain to ship a 33-pounder super-tele, not to mention the insurance cost for a $34,000 lens?

Here are the test shots (full-size) at widest and tele-end of the Super-duper telephoto lens. Both were taken with a Canon 30D, and of, ironically, a Nikon sign.

ISO 800, F2.8, 1/250s at 500mm

ISO 800, F2.8, 1/400s at 200mm

The 18-250mm F3.5-F6.3 DC OS HSM announced two weeks prior to PMA 2009. Detail technical aspect and comparison of this new lens could be found here. We had a hands-on with this particular lens and took a few shots with Canon-mounted unit. Our initial impression of the new 18-250mm Sigma lens was quite good, it feels solid and features fast confusing mechanism to work in a mild contrast lighting environment. The corresponding AF mounts will be available for Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony at a suggest retail of $799.

The other three lenses are new to the show, namely the fixed aperture 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM and two OS-based 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM and 50-200mm F4-F5.6 DC OS HSM. Pricing and availability were not disclosed at this point. More details of the lenses are covered in the video below, and all units are available in alternate mounts just like the 18-250mm.

It’s definitely make more sense to present the new product at the upcoming PMA 2009 before putting out on markets. Rumor is flying, there are more zoom lenses coming from Sigma’s front. A pair of full-frame optimized OS 70-300mm and 70-200mm would make its appearance soon. Are they holding out the 18-250mm, with alternate plan to unveil a trio of HSM OS-based ultra zoom range lenses like they did from last year PMA? Stay tuned, PMA 2009 is less than two weeks away.

(update : latest development is April release)

The new sigma features lens construction of 18 elements in 14 groups, including four SLD glass elements and three aspherical elements to minimize ill distortions. The design is much superior comparing to the 18-200 with 15 elements in 13 groups, a pair of SLD and aspherical elements each, and theoretically better than similar offering from Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro.

The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM has a suggested retail of 85,700 yen ($1,080);the manufacturer will first launch a canon mounted version at February 21 2009, with announcement to follow soon in March for Sigma, Nikon, Pentax and Sony mounts.

Priced at 123,800 yen ($1,400), the new Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM zoom lens is nearly tripled of its current model with lesser focusing ability and noisier motor. Despite the performance upgrades, it’s not longer a valuable contender compares to Canon branded and Nikon branded lenses with similar focus distance and features. It’s a different story if they were to throw in an OS (Sigma version of lens stabilizer) function.

The Canon mounted unit is slated to launch at January 25th while the Nikon-mounted to be followed next month. No words on Sony and Pentax-mounted version have been revealed.

If 500mm is still too short for your subjects, Sigma preps an 1.4x 2X Apo teleconverter to extend its focus distance to 400-1000mm at effective aperture of F5.6. Overall, the Sigzilla is the fastest Autofocus 500mm at F2.8 ever built, but 200mm short of Canon’s EF 1200mm at F5.6.

But hang on there for a minute, Nikonian. Don’t get too excited renewing your weapon permit or get your your sniper scope serviced right away; the alternate mount is as expensive as the previous releases. The 33-pound Super-tele zoom is available on a limited-quantity and special order though Sigma dealers only. If you think the Nikon D3X is expensive, you can’t afford the $34,000 Sigma.

The gigantic Sigzllla that we mentioned earlier got the price updated from impress this morning. As we’ve mentioned, the size and weight are not beyond impossible but it’s unrealistic for field works, not to mention the huge price tag of $25,000 (2,625,000 yen). Sigma might want to scratch off their press release listing portraits and wildlife as targeted field of photography suitable for this lens. But i have to admit, that SigmaGodzilla is one sexy beast, wildlife or not, chicks will not have problems posing with or without feather cloths on.

[via impress]

The first one up is a huge telephoto zoom lens, the APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM. It’s may be 100mm longer on the wider end, but it’s certain Sigma’s answer to the OS version of Bigma (Sigma 50-500mm). It’s often brought up against closer but more expensive rivals like Canon 100-400L IS or Nikon 80-400mm VR despite lacking lens stabilizer feature for two reasons. One, Bigma is 100mm longer and has reasonable sharpness at tele-end. Two, it’s more than $500 cheaper than rivals on the street. The new OS version of allegedly Bigma II would certain benefit wildlife shooter on the budget.

Next one is another telephoto zoom lens, the APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM. It’s an upgrade to the five years old 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG OS that’ve been criticized for inconsistent, slow and noisy auto-focus. It hasn’t been the favor among Canon 100-400L and Nikon 80-400mm but it’s relatively cheap on the web auction or forum For-sale section.

The last piece of Sigma OS zoom glass is a wide angle walk-around 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM lens. It’s indisputable an OS version of older 18-125mm F3.5-5.6 DC. But what puzzling me is the comparison to the longer ends 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM that was announced recently. The more extensive the zoom range is usually contribute to more comprehensive lens construction, results in higher cost or inferior glass quality if the manufacturer targets to keep the cost down to competing market. Perhaps the shorter zoom distance on 18-125 is cheap, lighter or more superior in sharpness and bokeh department. We’ll find one when it hits the shelf.

The trio is available for Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony mounts, but the OS feature on 18-125 is not functioning for Pentax and Sony mount. Price and further availability has not yet announced.

[via sigmaphoto]
photo credit : dpreview

Imaging Resource had a video interview with the original Sigma 200-500mm, the sigrep said to expect cost of $10-$20k when it’s ready to hit the street. It doesn’t appear they have the price down but the Sigzilla has gone though a cosmetic change with earth-green painted job. More spec are also disclosed such as three ELD glass elements, 13 groups 17 elements lens construction, F2.8 to F22 aperture range and the closest focus distance is only at 150cm. Awesome! The sigzilla comes equipped with a dedicated hard case and 2x teleconvertor to extend the zoom distance to 400-1000mm F5.6 with the expense of losing two stops of light.

I admire their guts and engineering skills but the sigzilla is not what I call a practical lens in the fields. The fast F2.8 aperture at fixed distance all the way up to 500mm is great, but darn thing is too heavy and cumbersome to move around. Like the super-duper Canon 1200mm F5.6L AF lens, it’s a big NO for wildlife photographer, but it may make its appearance in large sport fields.

Until then, I’ll continue to drool for the newly announced Canon 800mm F5.6L, it may be 200mm too short compare to sigzilla with 2x extension but it’s handheld-able with less than 10lb. I promise I’ll be a good boy if you paypal me your donation to my 800mm’s funding, I’m only $11,995 short *laugh*

[via dpreview]

Get Ready for a camera that belongs to no known category

The Camera no one’s made before

Now, a dream come true

A camera with principles

The Arrival of the SIGMA DP1. The worldwide debut, soon.

We expect to see the full announcement in a week. The huge sensor inside that compact body is quite a sight for sore eyes, but gets the darn thing out already!

[via sigma]

Nikon D40’s is getting another friendly wide range zoom lens. Sigma announces a reduced size and lighter weight version of 18-200mm F3.5-F6.3 DC for Nikon. The additional built-in AF motor will grant the 18-200’s Nikon APS-C DSLR compatibility including D40/D40x. Unfortunately, Optical Stabilizer feature will be removed to shave 215g of weight and size reduction from 3.1”x3.9” to 2.8”x3.0” compare to existing version. The rest are pretty much similar to OS version except a slight increment of maximum magnification but 3 lens elements less. No mention of price and availability yet but we expect to see a much lower price compare to last model. A word of advice, avoid D40. You’ll get better choice of AF lens.

Sigma updates 18-200 to ‘D40-friendly’ status [via dpreview]

Another large aperture zoom lens is aimed for APS-C (digital lens) users. You still can use it on a full frame or larger sensor body with the cost of Vignetting. Besides gaining 10g from last debut, the new model has nothing to write home about. Like 70-200mm, Sigma will announce the price and availability shortly. Last model has a MSRP of $1,050 and street price at $650.

The original 70-200mm has been a very popular choice among the low-budget shooter. It is half the price of what Canon or Nikon has to offer. A good copy rivals competitor’s Image and built quality but lacks the OS (Optical Stabilizer), which is very useful feature for 1.7lb zoom lens at any occasion. Unfortunately we didn’t see OS is on top of the must-have-list from Sigma engineers.

New Sigma 50-150 & 70-200 [via dpreview]