Ronkonkoma, N.Y. –
said Friday it will ship in early June its new flagship d-SLR – model SD1 – at
a $9,700 suggested.
The 46-megapixel d-SLR features Sigma’s Foveon 23.5- by-15.7mm
APS-C X3 direct image sensor for highly detailed images that are capable of
being cropped and enlarged to huge sizes.
The camera body features a splash-proof design and will accept a
wide range of Sigma interchangeable lenses.
“The SD1 will carve out a new category in the marketplace by
providing high-end photographers with an alternative to very expensive
medium-format cameras and digital backs, while offering unrivaled image
quality,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, Sigma America president. “By embracing the
SD1, serious photographers will also be able to take advantage of Sigma’s
extensive lineup of affordable lenses, which are compatible with this new
camera. The selections of lenses for medium-format cameras on the market are
somewhat limited, so this will be a huge advantage for SD1 users. This is
undoubtedly a very special camera, and we’re thrilled to share it with the
photo community.”
Other features include a dual “three-layer responsive ultimate engine
(TRUE) II” image processing engines, which improve processing speed, provides
high resolution power and produces high-definition images with richly graduated
tones.
The SD1 is also the first Sigma camera to include simultaneous
RAW and JPEG recording. RAW files can be selected in full-size, half-size or
quarter-size formats for greater storage flexibility. The camera stores to a
TYPE 1 Compact Flash Card, and is UDMA-compatible.
The Foveon sensor uses three silicon-embedded layers of photo
detectors, stacked vertically to take advantage of silicon’s ability to absorb
red, green and blue light at different respective depths. This technology is
said to reproduce colors more accurately and offers sharper resolution, pixel
for pixel, than any conventional image sensor. Since color moiré is not
generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required.
Sigma said the optical format of the Foveon sensor has been upgraded
from previous SD cameras, increasing from 1.7x focal length to a 1.5x focal
length multiplier.
The SD1 also has improved image processing and noise reduction
algorithms, with an ISO sensitivity range from 100 to 6400 – two full stops
more sensitivity than the SD15, which has a maximum 1600 ISO.
The autofocus system features an 11-point shifted twin cross type
sensor, which improves AF accuracy.
A 3.0-inch, 460,000-pixel TFT color monitor has
a wide viewing angle, making it easy to check focusing and composition.
Sigma’s bundles its image processing software, Photo Pro 5.0,
with the SD1, providing Loupe, Slideshow, Print, Convert to JPEG file and Batch
White Balance settings are also incorporated into this software.
