It’s taken them long enough, but Sigma has finally put their SD15 on sale in the US. First unveiled all the way back in September 2008, the $989 DSLR body uses a 14-megapixel Foveon X3 direct image sensor, which uses three layers to capture RGB pixels individually. Unsurprisingly, Sigma USA’s general manager Mark Amir-Hamzeh reckons the lengthy maturation time for the DSLR was well-founded: “It’s been long-awaited, for sure, but it’s worth the wait” he says.
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.
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.
It’s been a long time since we first saw the Sigma SD15 – all the way back in September 2008, in fact – and the DSLR has only just managed to get a price tag and release date. According to Sigma, the SD15’s specs are little changed to what we first saw all those months ago, with a 14-megapixel Foveon X3 direct image sensor consisting of three 4.7-megapixel layers that individually capture red, green or blue light.
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).
Sony has outed a pair of new entry-level DSLRs, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and DSLR-A390, each packing 14.2-megapixels, HDMI outputs and BRAVIA Sync compatibility. Both get a 9-point autofocus system, 40-segment auto-exposure and a 2.7-inch TFT preview display; the Alpha A290 also throws in Quick AF Live View and a tilting mount for that display.
Storage is via either Sony’s own MemoryStick or SD/SDHC card, and there’s optical image stabilization, USB 2.0 connectivity and an integrated pop-up flash. Both can be used with Sony’s A-mount lenses, or Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses.
Despite the HDMI connectors it doesn’t look like the two DSLRs can shoot HD video; the outputs are just for displaying still photos on your HDTV. No word on pricing, but the Sony Alpha A290 and A390 should both go on sale this summer.
Press Release:
More style and value by Sony for first-time DSLR users Easy-to-use DSLR-A390 and DSLR-A290 with 14.2 megapixels
• DSLR-A390 with 14.2 megapixels, Quick AF Live View and 6.7cm (2.7-inch) tilt LCD; DSLR-A290 with 14.2 megapixels
• Compact, stylish body with new grip design and revised button layout for comfortable handling
• Quick AF Live View with tilt LCD (?390) for live image preview with fast, accurate autofocus
• Friendly on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display
• HDMI output and BRAVIA Sync
The ? (Alpha) digital SLR range from Sony grows further with two stylish, affordable new entry-level cameras.
Ideal for first-time DSLR users, the DSLR-A390 (?390) and DSLR-A290 (?290) offer a dramatic step up in picture quality and creative options from point-and-shoot compact cameras. Just as importantly, they’re beautifully easy to use, even if you’ve never handled a DSLR before.
With a resolution of 14.2 effective megapixels for flawless, low-noise images, both cameras offer the speedy shooting responses that are prized by DSLR users. The ?390 adds the extra benefit of Quick AF Live View. This unique system teams the convenience of live image preview on the tilt-angle Clear Photo LCD with speedy, accurate phase-detection autofocus.
The most affordable new DSLR from Sony, the ?290 offers the same 14.2 effective megapixel resolution as the ?390 in a compact body that weighs just 456g (excluding battery and media).
Both cameras feature an attractive new grip design that allows even more comfortable handling. Upper control areas of both models have also been revised with a clear, uncluttered new button layout.
Even DSLR novices will find it brilliantly simple to explore the generous creative features of both new cameras. The intuitive Graphic Display makes it easy to understand the relation between shutter speed and aperture, plus the effects of your chosen exposure settings on the final picture. The Help Guide offers clear, concise explanations of camera functions, illustrated by a sample image to show the results you’ll achieve. Quick access to shooting and playback function menus is streamlined by colourful on-screen icons.
The ?390 and ?290 include a mini-HDMI terminal for direct connection to any HD Ready TV (requires optional cable). Support for PhotoTV HD ensures even better-looking still image reproduction on compatible BRAVIA™ models. BRAVIA™ Sync allows control of slideshow and other camera playback functions in comfort using your TV remote.
The stylish, easy to use new ?390 and ?290 digital SLR cameras by Sony are available from summer 2010.
As reasons for delaying a product launch go, overly “high demand” isn’t something you can complain too loudly about, but all the same we imagine there are some disappointed Japanese photography geeks out there right now. Pentax Japan have delayed the launch of their 645D medium format DSLR, claiming to have been surprised by the number of orders received; instead, the 645D will drop on June 11th.
The 645D has a 40-megapixel Kodak sourced sensor that, at 44 x 33 mm, is around 1.7x the size of the CCD you’d find in a regular DSLR. It’s designed for detail not speed; maximum capture rate is a frame per second, but Pentax expect it to be picked up by still life and scenery photographers.
To make up for the delay – or perhaps just taunt would-be owners a little more – the company has posted some example shots from the 645D on their site. Still no word on the possibility of a release outside of Japan.
Pentax’s huge medium-format 645D digital camera has had a public outing in Toronto this past weekend, demonstrating its updated Kodak 44 x 33 mm sensor – that has climbed from 30- to 40-mexapixels since we first saw the concept back in early 2009 – and general all-round awesomeness. Shooting a single frame per second, the Pentax 645D is apparently intended for scenery and other still-life photography, rather than anything faster moving. Scolirk grabbed some hands-on time and a demo video you can see after the cut.
Video demo after the cut
The reason for the massive bulk – aside from the huge sensor, which is apparently 1.7x the size of a regular DSLR CCD – is that the 645D can use film lenses. That opens up plenty of interesting possibilities for still-life photographers.
As for the 645D itself, Pentax have used roughly the same control layout as the K-7, together with that DSLR’s integrated HDR creation functions, and there’s a 3-inch LCD preview display with 170-degree viewing angles. Storage is via twin SDHC card slots, and there’s a new dust removal system. Expect it to arrive – and be expensive – by the end of 2010.
Sony Vietnam have unveiled the company’s latest DSLR, the Sony Alpha A290, an update to the ageing A230. Packing a 14.2-megapixel APS-C image sensor, Sony BIONZ processor and integrated SteadyShot image stabilization, the A290 supports up to ISO 3200 and 2.5fps continuous shooting.
There’s also a 2.7-inch LCD preview display and both MemoryStick Pro Duo and SD/SDHC memory card slots. Sony also say the functionality from the original A230 is present, so we’re guessing that means the A290 keeps the HDMI connectivity and the Quick Autofocus Live View, which allows shots to be framed on the LCD as well as the optical viewfinder.
In Vietnam, the Sony Alpha A290 will apparently be priced at 9,990,000 VND ($529) complete with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM lens. That’s about the same as an A230 currently costs there, we’re told. No word on when – or indeed if – we’ll see the same DSLR arrive in the US or Europe.
Sony have delivered on their promise of a new Micro Four Thirds style camera with not just one but two new models. The Sony ? NEX-5 and NEX-3 unsurprisingly bear a striking resemblance to the “interchangeable lens concept” shown earlier this year, and each have a new 14.2-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor; as well as stills, that’s good for up to 1080i HD video recording on the NEX-5 and 720p on the NEX-3.
Of course, the headline feature is the ability to switch lenses according to shooting environment, and while Sony are offering a number of examples specifically for the new NEX-5 and NEX-3, there’s also a LA-EA1 Mount Adaptor which will allow owners to hook up one of the roughly 30 ?-series lenses. Other features include Sweep Panorama – which allows you to hold the shutter down and swing the cameras about, automatically creating a 23-megapixel panorama of stitched together shots – and, as of a firmware update this coming summer, a 3D panorama option.
There’s a 3-inch auto-brightness LCD which can tilt for a better viewing angle (or an optional optical viewfinder, the FDA-SV1), straightforward menu system in which Sony reckon you’ll never get lost, up to 7fps rapid burst still photography and support for both Memory Stick and SDXC cards. The two cameras will be available from summer 2010.
Press Release:
DSLR picture quality that won’t weigh you down. Sony’s compact, easy to use NEX-5 and NEX-3 with interchangeable lenses and HD video
• New ? digital cameras with DSLR picture quality and responsive shooting
• World’s smallest and lightest1 interchangeable lens digital camera (NEX-5)
• 14.2 effective megapixels Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor
• 1080i HD movie recording (NEX-5) with stereo sound, fast and silent autofocus
• Intuitive new interface with Help Guide and Shooting Tips
• E-mount lens system compatible with ? DSLR lenses (with optional Mount Adaptor)
• Sweep Panorama with 3D capability2
Now photographers can enjoy the superlative picture quality and shooting responses prized by DSLR users in two beautifully compact new cameras that are brilliantly easy to use.
Joining the ? family, the NEX-5 and NEX-3 team DSLR-quality imaging with the convenience of interchangeable lenses in a sleek new design that slips easily into a jacket pocket or bag. In contrast with conventional DSLR models, the ‘mirrorless’ construction shrinks the thickness of both cameras to just 24.2mm (NEX-5 excluding grip and mount) and 25.4mm (NEX-3, excluding grip and mount) at their slimmest point. As a luxurious extra refinement, the NEX-5 features a tough yet light-weight magnesium body, making it the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens digital camera.1
At the heart of both cameras is a newly-developed Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with a resolution of 14.2 effective megapixels. Far larger than the sensor inside conventional compact cameras, its key to the extremely low image noise and creative defocus effects that are familiar to DSLR users.
Still and video image quality is further refined by the powerful BIONZ processor that ensures speedy DSLR-style shooting reflexes with quick, precise autofocus and minimal shutter lag. Both cameras can also capture fast-moving action with a high-speed burst of full-resolution images at up to 7fps (AF/AE fixed from first frame).
An elegant, uncluttered user interface – featuring a new ‘never get lost’ menu – makes the powerful creative possibilities of the NEX-5 and NEX-3 accessible to enthusiasts and step-up users alike. Shooting parameters are easily accessed via an intuitive control wheel and two soft keys. Turning the control dial, for example, allows depth of focus changes to be previewed ‘live’ on the LCD3, giving effortless control over beautiful, pro-style portraits. Further help for novice users is provided by on-screen shooting tips and a friendly help guide.
Images and camera settings are displayed on the big, bright 7.5cm (3”), Xtra Fine LCD with TruBlack technology that tilts up or down for comfortable viewing in any shooting position. The screen features an auto-brightness function for excellent visibility, even when you’re outdoors. TruBlack screen technology enables an even more vivid, high-contrast view of images and camera settings.
Compatibility with a wide range of interchangeable lenses dramatically expands the artistic possibilities of the E-mount camera system.
Ideal for everyday shooting, the low-profile E 16mm F/2.8 (SEL16F28) ‘pancake’ lens minimises bulk when the camera is being carried in a coat pocket. Its field of view can be boosted even further by the VCL-ECU1 Ultra Wide Converter and VCL-ECF1 Fisheye Converter that deliver high-definition optical performance in a sleek, co-ordinated design.
Featuring in-lens Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation for clearer handheld images, the E 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 zoom (SEL1855) is a perfect travel partner. The NEX-5 and NEX-3 are available in kit form with either lens, or as a double-lens kit that provides even greater shooting versatility. The NEX-5 can also be specified as a kit with the optional E 18-200 F/3.5-6.3 zoom (SEL18200) that offers a powerful 11x magnification range plus Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation with Active Mode at wide angle for steadier movie shooting.
An optional LA-EA1 Mount Adaptor extends compatibility to the ? family of 30 lenses, plus a huge range of other legacy A-mount lenses (Manual Focus only).
The NEX-5 and NEX-3 are also the first ? cameras to offer the extra convenience of HD video recording. At the touch of a dedicated Movie REC button, both NEX-5 and the NEX-3 shoots HD video with stereo sound as compact MPEG4 files that are ideal for PC storage and web sharing. Full HD (1920 x 1080i) video captured by the NEX-5 as high-quality AVCHD files can be enjoyed on a connected HD television. As an option, the smart accessory terminal on both cameras accepts the compact ECM-SST1 Stereo Microphone (optional) that captures a high-quality soundtrack for your HD videos.
The NEX-5 and NEX-3 are the first ? cameras featuring Sweep Panorama. Just press the shutter button and swing the camera side-to-side or up and down. A high-speed burst of frames is stitched together automatically to create detail-packed 23 megapixel panoramas with a 226 degree effective angle of view4. Panoramic files can also be enjoyed in stunning 3D on compatible BRAVIA™ 3D televisions.5
As previously introduced on the DSLR-A550, Auto HDR has been further refined. The NEX-5 and NEX-3 can now shoot a high-speed burst of three images at different exposure values that are electronically combined in the camera. This produces a single High Dynamic Range image with extended highlight and shadow detail.
Both cameras come supplied with a super-compact clip-on flash that attaches via the smart accessory terminal when needed for low-light shooting. Other optional accessories include the FDA-SV1 Optical Viewfinder plus colour coordinated cases and shoulder straps.
The NEX-5 and NEX-3 system cameras from Sony are available from summer 2010.
Notes to editors
NOTES:
*1 As of May 11, Sony research. Among the interchangeable-lens digital camera bodies.
*2 Via firmware update available summer 2010.
*3 Effective only when an E-mount lens is attached.
*4 At maximum with E 16mm F/2.8 lens in wide mode setting.
*5 3D is only available via firmware update available summer 2010 at users’ option.
As gorgeous camera mods go, this one will take some beating. An original Canon AE-1 film camera body has been given a new lease of life, after some careful modder injected the guts of a modern 9-megapixel digital camera into the classic chassis. Paired with a pancake 10mm f/1.4 lens and as many of the original controls left in place as possible, it’s a good reminder as to why camera manufacturers keep coming back to retro designs: it seems we just can’t get enough of them.
The end result is a 9MP shooter with image stabilization and 4GB of storage, together with an internal USB port. There’s speculation that the donor guts were from a Canon Powershot SD870 and that the visible lens is just a disguise for that point-and-shoots own far smaller zoom barrel, but either way we’re loving it.
From what we know of Anssi Vanjoki, he’s a great guy and one that isn’t afraid of admitting his company’s mistakes. Alas, now we can also add to that dossier the ignominious fact that the fella doesn’t seem to know how professional cameras work. Talking about the rapid improvement in cameraphone technology during a speech in Helsinki yesterday, Vanjoki said that very soon “there will be no need to carry around those heavy lenses.” He’s really enthusiastic about HD video coming to phones, which he predicts will be here within 12 months (if you ask Sony Ericsson, it’s here already), but we just can’t let that spectacular line about lenses slide. The glass you shoot through is, for a lot of people, the most important piece of photographic equipment and there are genuine reasons why said lenses are heavy, elongated, and typically unfriendly to pockets. Then again, this dude also thought the N-Gage was gonna be a success, so don’t start selling off that glass stockpile just yet.
Digital SLR cameras generally save their images to one of two different types of memory card: the majority support CompactFlash (CF), while others such as Nikon’s D3000 and the Canon Rebel XS write data onto Secure Digital (SD) memory cards. The latter are inexpensive and favorable for their smaller form factor and better physical contact surface instead of fragile pins. Some DSLRs, however, have dual card slots, such as the Canon Digital EOS 1D Mark II N or the Nikon D300s. Last time around, we reviewed number of UDMA-6 high performance CompactFlash cards on the world’s fastest DSLR, the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, and we promised to put some Class-10 SDHCs through the same tests. That day has come, so read on to find out how Class 10 SDHCs stack against UDMA-rated CF on the Mark IV.
Introduced about a decade ago, the multi-media card (MMC) based SD card has evolved from Standard 1.1 (SD), 2.0 (SDHC) to 3.0 (SDXC) slowly but surely, with capacity and speed improving from 2GB with a minimum sustained read/write speed of 2.2 MB/s to a whooping 2TB of storage space at a maximum transfer speed of 104 MB/s. While we have not seen such cards on the market with that capability, Version 4.0 is already in development and intends to reveal the full potential of SDXC, tripling data throughput up to 300MB/s.
So far, devices supporting the standard are limited and only one DSLR is known to support it, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i. Though SanDisk has recently shipped a slower-speed Ultra II SDXC 64GB, the speed is fairly basic at 15MB/s. However, Toshiba showcased its first SDXC memory card at CES 2010 earlier this year with read and write speeds of up to 60MB/s and 35MB/s respectively. With video recording on DSLRs becoming increasingly popular – and not requiring much faster – write-speeds – SDXC is an interesting prospect both in terms of capacity and ability to boost performance when needed.
If you have prior experience with SDHC, you’ve probably guessed that backward compatibility for the SD format can be a hassle. Unlike CompactFlash, where cards supporting improved standards are often backward compatible, SD can be more reluctant to play along. Your host devices must support the newer standard, and it’s often been our experience that mismatching such standards could cause permanent damage to the storage card.
SDHC read and write performances
For this review, we repeated the same tests previously performed on the CompactFlash cards to record time consumed to write data onto the same camera and computer – Canon’s EOS 1D Mark IV and a Mac Pro with a 1TB Western Digital Black Caviar HDD – with six Class-10 SDHC candidates from SanDisk, PhotoFast and Lexar Media.
The SDHC reader used to calculate read speed was the SanDisk ImageMate All-In-One media reader with an advertised maximum speed of 30 MB/s read and 27 MB/s write respectively.
Lexar Professional 133x 8GB SDHC, Class 10, minimum sustain write speed of 20MB/s, $60
PhotoFast 4GB SLC SDHC, Class 10, minimum sustain write speed of 22MB/s, $69**
PhotoFast 32GB MLC SDHC, Class 10, minimum sustain write speed of 18MB/s, $179
SanDisk Extreme 8GB SDHC, Class 10, maximum write speed of 30MB/s, $50
SanDisk Extreme 16GB SDHC, Class 10, maximum write speed of 30MB/s, $99
SanDisk Extreme 32GB SDHC, Class 10, maximum write speed of 30MB/s, $190
Pricing based on Amazon online. **Manufacturer pricing.
From our last test, we’ve seen that top-tier CompactFlash cards could reach 58MB/s on the Mark IV; disappointingly, though, the camera performed around 3 times slower with the SDHC cards. Results are fairly consistently among the cards, data generally being written at 20MB/s with the exception of the 32GB PhotoFast, which trailed around 5MB/s behind the pack.
Oddly, while read benchmarks are normally significantly faster than write rates, the SDHCs on test performed just slightly faster than their write speeds. Again, no significant performance differences were observed among the cards.
As we found in our last review a UDMA card can help in clearing out the DSLR’s frame buffer, managing up to 30-31 frames before hitting the wall. Take the 32GB version of SanDisk’s Extreme Pro CF and Extreme SDHC 30MB/s for comparison. The former held 31 frames and took 10.33 seconds to clear; the latter only managed 27 frames but took as much as 25.17 seconds to clear. To put the numbers into perspective, it extends buffer depth by adding four frames more in continuous burst mode and writes 2.5x faster to clear the queues onto the card and be ready for the next burst.
In addition, if you’re accustomed to formatting your memory card before you start shooting – as you should, allowing your camera to initialize the file system and help prevent write errors – you would have to wait longer with the SDHC cards. The Mark IV camera formatted the SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash in 1.4 seconds but took up to 5.1 seconds on the Extreme SDHC card.
If your priority is camera performance, taking uninterrupted still images of action sequences, you would want to stick with UDMA enabled CompactFlash, preferably a mode 6 card. Our tests show that, right now, DSLRs and card reader compliant with the UDMA standard write and read data far better than with SDHC. Having fast media storage allows for quicker image access, both for capture as well as when formatting. However, with HD video recording increasingly a standard feature for today’s DSLRs, video cinematographers would probably prefer the largest media available, such the upcoming SDXC cards with an outrageous 2TB on offer. Take the Mark IV video recording rate for example: at 5.5MB/s Full HD recording, it would fill a 64GB card in 192 minutes. That’s fine for short interviews, but you’d probably need to pack a few cards to record, say, a short-feature film. Still, for now at least, CompactFlash is ahead of the memory card competition in term of raw performance.
