Sigma dp2 Quattro Digital Point & Shoot Camera, 29MP Foveon X3 Quattro CMOS Image Sensor 19.6 Megapixel with FOVEON X3 Direct Image Sensor, Fixed 30mm f/2.8 Lens, RAW Image Capture

SKU: SGDP2Q

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Questions & Answers

Shopper : Is this a good camera for street photography?TIMOTHY C : I do not own the DP2 Quattro, but own the earlier version, the DP2 Merrill. The DP2 Merrill could be used for street photography, but only under ideal conditions (i.e. very good light with a fast shutter speed). The camera's useable ISO is relatively low, generally up to 800 ISO, with many users opting to shoot at under 400 ISO. The image quality of this version is exceptional. The micro contrast and detail produced in RAW by the 46 megapixel foveon sensor are truly remarkable. But again, this can only be produced under ideal conditions and requires you to use Sigma's proprietary RAW conversion software, which is very antiquated compared with Adobe's offerings. The DP2 Quattro has a new sensor design, which reduces its resolution compared to its predecessor, which has imroved its ISO performance allowing it to be used under a broader range of conditions. Many reviewers feel that the new sensor's lower resolution has in turn reduced the micro contrast and detail that made the images from its predecessor so remarkable. The camera's new shape has been described as being more awkward to hold and pocket, which may impact its ability to be used for street photography. In my opinion there are better options for street photography in a similar price range. You may want to consider the Ricoh GR and the more expensive Fuji x100s instead.M R M : Honestly, I don't know. I don't own this camera.
Shopper : How good is the image quality of this camera relative to DP2 Merrill?MICHAEL M : I just got the camera so I'm not answering with personal experience. My impression from looking at images and following a myriad of discussion threads at dpreview is that the Quattro has inherently less accutance but more detail due to the smaller pixel pitch of the top layer. I suggest you have a look over at dpreview or better yet try one out for a while from a vendor with a good return policy and compare it for yourself if you already have the dp2 Merrill. MikeM R M : I really don't know. I don't own this camera.
Shopper : Does DP2Q camera make more noise when in operation compared to other mirrorless compact cameras?JIM A : The only noise you will hear is the whisper quiet shutter.BRET A : I dont have the quattro yet, I own the dp3 merrill. Its a little slow to focus and write to a card, but the new one is supposed to be better. The merrrils are incredible cameras but are limited. You cant shoot anything in low light or that moves fast. BUT the images you get out of your shots are better than anything else out there except for medium format. Also I find that the prints right from the camera are amazing as well. I bought the sony a7r and use the best Voigtlander lenses on it (also tested leicas best lens), and its a great camera but the sigma merrils are better images. Just remember you cant shoot in low light or anything that moves. Stills, product, landscapes, people etc all come out great. I shot at a friends horse training ranch in new mexico with my dp3 and got excellent images.MARK M : No. It is quiet, but it is not what I would consider a street camera. Using it is more like using a view camera.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2015-08-10T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Excellent next gen image quality for fine art photography

I use this camera primarily for landscape and also plan to use it for still life, studio, architecture. Camera produces an excellent film-like image; vibrant, with excellent clarity and well defined detail with very good microcontrast. I would recommend finding some RAW and jpg files from this camera online and editing/viewing them in the Sigma Photo Pro software to determine if the excellent image quality from this camera overrides its limitations. One thing that the online reviews don't mention is that while the manual focus is good(although by wire, not mechanical), the magnification (8x) was a dissapointment. That said, the autofocus is as good or better than I could acheive using manual focus so it's turned out to be a bit of a moot point.

Sean L.

2014-09-01T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great b&w pics

I bought this camera because i was looking for an excellent B&W camera that didnt break the bank. I have used the camera for limited landscape areas, portraits and art photos. It excels at B&W. Perhaps its not a Monochrome Leica but it sure beats my higher end DSLRs. Color rendition is excellent. The adjustments are really well thought out and handy for use in the fly. The macro ability is slightly lacking but the pictures are so sharp that a little enlarging gets you where you want to be. It is extremely light weight and i find it very easy to hold although some of the reviewers found it a little difficult.

Philip G.

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Sigma dp2 Quattro Specifications

  • Format

    Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor (CMOS)

  • Image Sensor Size

    23.5x15.7mm

  • Number of Pixels

    Effective Pixels: Approx.29MP
    Total Pixels: Approx.33MP

  • Color Photo Detectors

    T (Top):5,424x3,616 / M (Middle):2,712x1,808 / B (Bottom):2,712x1,808

  • Focal Length

    30mm F2.8 (35mm equivalent focal length:45mm)

  • Lens Construction

    6 Groups 8 Elements

  • Shooting Range

    28cm~8, LIMIT Mode (It is possible to choose Macro, Portrait and Scenery.)

  • Maximum Magnification Shooting

    1:7.6

  • Storage Media

    SD Card, SDHC Card, SDXC Card

  • File Format

    Lossless compression RAW data (14-bit), JPEG (Exif2.3), RAW+JPEG

  • JPEG Image Quality

    FINE, NORMAL, BASIC

  • Aspect Ratio

    21:9, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 1:1

  • White Balance

    10 types (Auto, Auto (Lighting Source Priority), Daylight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Color Temperature, Flash, Custom)

  • ISO Sensitivity

    ISO100-ISO6400 (1/3 steps for appropriate sensitivity), AUTO: High limit, low limit setting is possible between ISO100~ISO6400. When using with flash, it changes depending on the low limit setting.

  • Color Mode

    11 types (Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Portrait, Landscape, Cinema, Sunset Red, Forest Green, FOV Classic Blue, FOV Classic Yellow, Monochrome)

  • Auto Focus Type

    Contrast Detection Type

  • AF Point Selection

    9 points select mode, Free move mode (It is possible to change the size of Focus Frame to Spot, Regular and Large.) Face Detection AF mode

  • Focus Lock

    Shutter release halfway-down position (AF lock can be done by AE lock button from menu setting)

  • Manual Focus

    Focus Ring Type

  • Metering Systems

    Evaluative Metering, Center-Weighted Average Metering, Spot Metering

  • Exposure Control System

    P) Program AE (Program Shift is possible), (S) Shutter Speed Manual Priority AE, (A) Aperture Priority AE, (M) Manual

  • Exposure Compensation

    1/3 EV Steps up to+/-3EV for Appropriate Exposure

  • AE Lock

    AE lock button

  • Auto Bracketing

    Appropriate, under, over; 1/3EV steps up to +/-3EV for appropriate exposure

  • Shutter Speedsh

    1/2000* - 30sec.
    (*Depending on the aperture value, shutter speed changes)

  • Drive Modes

    Single, Continuous, Self Timer (2sec. /10sec.) Interval timer

  • LCD Monitor Type

    TFT color LCD monitor

  • Monitor Size

    3.0"

  • LCD Pixels

    Approx. 920,000 Pixels

  • LCD Monitor Language

    English/ Japanese/ German/ French/ Spanish/Italian/ Chinese (Simplified)/ Chinese (Traditional)/ Korean/ Russian/ Nederlands/ Polski/ Portugu½s/ Dansk/ Svenska/

  • Interfaces

    USB, Cable Release Switch

  • Power

    Li-ion Battery Pack BP-51, Battery Charger BC-51, AC Adapter SAC-6 (with DC Connector CN-21) (Optional)

  • Battery Life

    Approx. 250 shots (25 degree)

  • Dimensions

    161.4mm/6.4"(W), 67mm/2.6"(H), 81.6mm/3.2"(D)

  • Weight

    395g/13.9oz (without battery and memory card)

  • Warranty

    Sigma warranty

  • UPC Code

    085126930257

7 Accessories for Sigma dp2 Quattro Digital Point & Shoot Camera, 29MP Foveon X3 Quattro CMOS Image Sensor 19.6 Megapixel with FOVEON X3 Direct Image Sensor, Fixed 30mm f/2.8 Lens, RAW Image Capture

  • All Accessories (7)
  • Batteries & Power Supply (3)
  • Cables & Adapters (1)
  • Covers & Caps (1)
  • Filters (2)

About Sigma dp2 Quattro

FEATURED REVIEWS

Great b&w pics

By Philip G.

I bought this camera because i was looking for an excellent B&W camera that didnt break the bank. I have used the camera for limited landscape areas, portraits and art photos. It excels at B&W. Perhaps its not a Monochrome Leica but it sure beats my higher end DSLRs. Color rendition is excellent. The adjustments are really well thought out and handy for use in the fly. The macro ability is slightly lacking but the pictures are so sharp that a little enlarging gets you where you want to b...

View full Review

Sigma dp2 Quattro Incorporates a newly developed Foveon X3 direct image sensor

Unique and without peer among image sensors, the Foveon direct image sensor is similar to traditional color film in that its multiple layers capture all of the information that visible light transmits. Along with Sigma's proprietary image processing technology, this sensor produces incredible resolution, precise gradation, gorgeous color, breathtaking realism with a 3D feel. In other words, full-bodied image quality.

• Fixed 30mm 2.8 Lens specifically designed for sensor
• Newly designed Foveon sensor with 30% resolution gain from Merrill generation
• Improved optics, ISO performance, image processing and design

For the new dp series, Sigma rethought and redesigned every aspect of the camera, including the sensor, engine, lens, and body. While retaining its famous textural expression, which seems to give form to the air itself, the updated Foveon direct image sensor produces images that are more colorful, rich, deep, and faithful than ever before.

To a radical degree, the new-generation dp series embodies Sigma's philosophy of creating cameras that produce works of art. Featuring the highest level of fundamental performance, this series unites artistic expression and daily experience as no other cameras can.

Thanks to its optimized design featuring a fixed focal length lens and integrated body, the dp series offers both sensor and lens performance at the highest level. The result is full-bodied image quality.

In addition to superior holding performance, the camera body offers a balanced shape, layout, and weight distribution. With all of its elements designed for image quality, the dp offers highly intuitive operation. Its complete and robust specification allows the photographer to concentrate fully on photography itself and leverage the camera's potential to produce outstanding images.

In everyday life, the dp series lets photographers find unexpected opportunities for experiencing emotion and enjoy photography and personal expression in exciting new ways. It is an outwardly simple yet extremely powerful embodiment of Sigma's philosophy of photography.

The world's only image capture system to use vertical color separation technology
Starting with Sigma's very first digital camera, Sigma has featured the Foveon direct image sensor, which offers radically better image quality than any other sensor available. Leveraging the light absorption characteristics of silicon, the sensor comprises three layers of photodiodes, each at a different depth within the silicon and each corresponding to a different RGB color. Since it is the only sensor to use this superior vertical color separation technology, it is also the world's only direct image sensor.

Almost all other image sensors are mosaic sensors, which use an array of RGB color filters in a single horizontal plane to capture color information. Each pixel is assigned only one of the three colors and cannot capture all three colors at once. In contrast, the Foveon direct image sensor captures color vertically, recording hue, value, and chroma accurately and completely for each pixel.

In the Foveon direct image sensor, there are no color filters, which cause a loss of information transmitted by light. Moreover, there is no low-pass filter needed to correct the interference caused by a color filter array. Finally, unlike the data from other sensors, which requires artificial interpolation to "fill in" missing colors, the data from the Foveon direct image sensor is complete for every single pixel and requires no interpolation. The unique technological principle of this sensor produces consistently outstanding image quality.

Newly developed Foveon X3 Quattro direct image sensor Now featuring 39 megapixel-equivalent ultrahigh resolution
Capturing the information transmitted by light vertically instead of horizontally, the full-color image capture system of the Foveon direct image sensor is the only one of its kind in the world. This system makes possible the sensor's full-bodied image quality, which is characterized by rich tone and gradation and texture that one can almost touch.

The newly developed Foveon X3 Quattro is the latest generation of this unique sensor. While retaining the distinctive characteristics of its predecessors, it offers an even higher level of image quality. In addition to 30% higher resolution, the volume of image data has become lighter, and it enables much faster image processing and lower current consumption.

At the same time, able to maintain the same exacting standard of image quality while increasing megapixels and enhancing noise characteristics, this 1:1:4 solution was the inspiration for the name of the current generation of Foveon sensor: "Quattro."

Newly developed TRUE III image processing engine Optimized for processing Foveon X3 Quattro direct image sensor data
The new dp series cameras feature the newly developed TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) III. This image processing engine has evolved in pace with Sigma's Foveon direct image sensor and incorporates all of the image processing expertise Sigma has developed over the years. Thanks to new refinements, it is the ideal engine for processing the rich and complex image data produced by the new-generation Foveon X3 Quattro direct image sensor. Sigma's proprietary algorithm makes possible ultrafast processing of an immense volume of image data without any deterioration of the final images. The result is high-definition, 3D-like photographs with outstandingly rich color detail.

What's in the box:

  • Sigma dp2 Quattro Digital Point & Shoot Camera
  • Li-ion Battery BP-51
  • Battery Charger BC-51
  • Lens Cap
  • Neck Strap
  • Soft Case
  • Hot Shoe Cover
  • USB Cable
  • Sigma 1 Year North and South America Limited Warranty (3 Year USA Extended Warranty for a Total of 4 Years from Date of Purchase)