2 thoughts on “Sigma SD1 Merrill Digital Camera C26900 Reviews”

1. 28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

   
   A truly unique, exciting, alternative to the “Canikon” fleet, November 18, 2012

   By 

   Mmoss –

   This review is from: Sigma SD1 Merrill Digital Camera C26900 (Electronics)

   Most people are not aware that when they buy a conventional (e.g. Canon or Nikon) digital camera, the sensor is what is called a ‘Bayer array’ and has a fundamental shortcoming: each sensor only recognizes one of the three primary colors (red, green, or blue). For example, in a 20 megapixel Bayer array, there are typically 10 million green sensors, 5 million red, and 5 million blue. Using a built in processor, each sensor element reports values for all three colors, by polling its neighbors and interpolating.

   The Sigma Foveon cameras are all based on the idea that the above is fundamentally fudging the result, and a truly accurate digital camera ought to be measuring all three primary colors at each sensor location. They use Foveon sensors, with three overlapping arrays, one for each primary color. This closely mimics the way color negative film was designed.

   My experience, having owned the Sigma SD9, SD14, and SD1, as well as each of the top line Canon DSLRs (including a 5D Mark II which I now use interchangeably with the SD1), and multiple large and medium format cameras over decades, is as follows:

   Pros: There is an almost ineffable ‘you are there’ quality to SD1 images, more obvious to some than others. Much more tonal subtlety and detail because of the accuracy of the values at each sensor location. Much less need for sharpening, because of both the multiple sensor arrays, and the lack of need for an AA (“antialising” or “blurring”) filter, which is required for Bayer array cameras. In resolution tests, the SD1 meets or even exceeds Nyquist theoretical resolution limits, not surprising. At its best this yields results that many of us find truly exciting. It requires the use of Sigma lenses, the best of which are extremely good and fully competitive with Canikon lenses, though perhaps not as rugged. This IS when used properly a ‘poor man’s medium format DSLR’ and even an excellent substitute for the very cumbersome use of large format for landscape.

   Cons: Like previous Sigma DSLRs, extraordinarily slow. Suitable only for RAW capture, and not supported yet by Adobe Camera Raw so you must use Sigma’s improved but still very slow Sigma Photo Pro software. Lacking in dynamic range. Very noisy at higher ISO (perhaps 800 and above). Absolutely not suited to be your only all-purpose DSLR unless you work slowly and do exclusively landscape or still life. A very eccentric camera that requires a lot of patience and technical expertise.

   Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

   Was this review helpful to you? 
   

   
   |

    Comment

   Reply ↓
2. 2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

   
   Foveon performance at its best!, January 10, 2013

   By 

   Phbug –

   Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

   This review is from: Sigma SD1 Merrill Digital Camera C26900 (Electronics)

   The ultimate Foveon-based digital SLR, loaded with features and of an excellent build quality. I gave it only 4 stars as it doesn’t have “live view” of the image you plan to capture using its LCD screen, only the viewfinder. Its an unexpected omission and one I hope they correct in any future model.

   Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

   Was this review helpful to you? 
   

   
   |

    Comments (3)

   Reply ↓