PMA 2007: Another Sigma product revealed at Photokina but confirmed today is the DP1 compact camera with an APS size sensor. The DP1 features the same Foveon 14M X3 sensor (2652 x 1768 x 3 layers) as the SD14 and a fixed 16.6 mm F4.0 lens (providing a 28 mm equiv. FOV). Significant changes since the development announcement back in September include a hot-shoe and external viewfinder.
DP1 high end point and shoot digital camera equipped with
14 megapixel (2652x1768x3 layers) large size direct image sensor
SIGMA DP1 Product Summary
Featuring a large size direct image sensor as used in the digital SLR camera.
Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new, groundbreaking Sigma DP1 compact digital camera using three silicon embedded layers of photo sensors stacked to take advantage of silicon’s ability to absorb red, green and blue light at different respective depths. The size of image sensor used in DP1 camera is approximately 10 times larger than those used in an ordinary point and shoot digital camera.
Large size image sensor takes advantage of larger pixels. So far point and shoot digital cameras incorporated small size image sensors, and researches for increasing the number of pixels by keeping the image sensor small is still continuing. However, there are limitations in these researches, because keeping image sensor size small will result poor capture of the light poorly. In this respect, enlarging the image sensor will result in better capturing color signals.
* The Sigma DP1’s image sensor is approximately 8 times larger than 1/1.8inch image sensor, approximately 12 times larger than 1/2.5 ordinary point and shoot camera
RAW Image Recording Format
The direct image sensor featured in the SIGMA DP1 ensures the capture of full and complete color. This camera incorporates both RAW and JPEG image recording formats enabling photographers to capture the highest possible picture definition and smaller file sizes.
Newly developed unique and powerful “TRUE” image processing engine
“TRUE” (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) *1 DSP (Digital Signal Processor) suited for Foveon*2 three silicon embedded layers direct image sensor is newly developed (joint development with Fujitsu Limited*3) and incorporated into DP1 first time.
The unique image processing algorithm developed throughout the development of SD9, SD10 and SD14 cameras is incorporated into “TRUE” and enables high-speed image processing.
*1. “TRUE” is trademark of SIGMA Corporation
*2. Foveon: Chairman and Founder Dr. Carver Mead, CEO D. Federico Faggin
*3. Fujitsu Limited: President, Mr. Hiroaki Kurokawa
Exclusive lens for APS-C size image sensor
The accumulated lens design technology and SD series are used for DP1 development. A 16.6mm F4 lens, with a wide angle field of view equivalent to 28mm on a 35mm film camera, has been specially developed to maximize the image quality in conjunction with the full color capture image sensor.
Glass mold aspherical lens provide correction for all types of aberrations and capture accurate, full color image information.
Compact and lightweight body
It has compact dimensions of 113.3mm / 4.5in. (W) × 59.5mm / 2.34in. (H) × 50.3mm / 2.0in. (D) and lightweight of 240g/8.5ounces. Its compact body and lightweight design makes it easy to carry everywhere.
Large 2.5” LCD monitor
The Sigma DP1 camera features a new, large 2.5inch, 230,000-pixel resolution LCD monitor. The LCD monitor displays 100% of the image, allowing the photographer to easily and accurately confirm the image composition.
Hot shoe and external viewfinder
DP1 camera is equipped with a hot-shoe thus allowing the attachment of dedicated external flash and high performance external viewfinder (VF11).
Lens Hood (optional accessory)
For assuring maximum performance from the lens and image sensor, it is equipped with exclusive lens hood.