Sigma announces availability of DP2

Sigma has announced the availability in the UK of the new DP2 high end compact.

Sigma Imaging UK press release:

Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce that the DP2 compact digital camera is now available from retailers in the UK with an SRP of £599.99.

The DP2 will be selling alongside the Sigma DP1 and offers new features such as a 41mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8 lens and a faster, TRUE II, processing engine.

Since the DP2’s announcement at Photokina 2008, several new features have been added to the camera including 3200 ISO and a Quick Set button allowing users to quickly access the eight most commonly used options in the camera. A new, improved version of Sigma PhotoPro software is bundled with the camera which will also open Foveon’s RAW images from previous Sigma digital cameras.

Two new dedicated accessories for the DP2 are also available. These are the VF-21 Viewfinder what carries a suggested retail price of £114.99, and the HA-21 Hood adapter with a SRP of £19.99.

The DP1 and DP2 are still the only compact digital cameras to feature an APS-C sized Foveon image sensor allowing SLR quality images from a pocket size camera.

Full details on the DP2 can be found at www.sigma-dp.com/DP2

Sigma DP2 revealed

Sigma Corporation has revealed the upgrade to the maker's DP1 - an up-market compact featuring a physically large (20.7x13.8mm) Foveon CMOS sensor (the same sensor as that found on the Sigma SD-14 DSLR). Called the DP2, it shares the same body as the original but has a new 24mm (41mm equivalent) f/2.8 lens. More details and sample photos can be found here.

One of the original DP1's attributes, apart from the large size sensor, was the fixed focal length 28mm wide-angle lens. While the maximum aperture has been increased a stop to f/2.8, which is a big plus, I don't find the 41mm (equivalent) focal length in the new DP2 quite as attractive.

I'm sure it's a high-grade lens, judging by the examples on their site, but I would of preferred either a 35mm f/2, or maybe 28/24mm f/2.8 equivalent, but there again that may just be me.

I really liked the original, sure it wasn't perfect and most of my fellow reviewers felt it 'missed the mark' but it was innovative and, more importantly, inspiring. Don't forget, at that time the DP1 was announced the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 was just a sparkle in Jake Hirose's (General Manager for Imaging Products Worldwide) eye.

Perhaps what's needed then is for Sigma to flex their not inconsiderable optical-engineering muscle, and produce the DPI, boasting a range of interchangeable lenses. Just a thought.

Kevin

B&H Links: Sigma DP2, Sigma DP1