Sigma SD1 - Flagship DSLR featuring New 46-megapixel Foveon X3

Today at Photokina 2010, Sigma has announced its flagship DSLR camera, the Sigma SD1. Who have though that Sigma will come with a new flagship DSLR camera this year?. The Sigma SD1 is a real surprise, no doubt about it. So many Sigma photographers have waited for a new Foveon X3 based DSLR, and it's finally announced. The Sigma SD1 camera features a new 46-megapixel Foveon X3 sensor. This is a cropped sensor, and not a FF sensor as many thought it would be. Sigma SD1 stands on top of the SD15, which was released at 2010. I just can't tell you how excited I am with the SD1, and I am very glad for Sigma's professional photographers, who now have a new path to upgrade their current Sigma DSLR.

The Sigma SD1 is a huge upgrade over the SD15 and the SD14. In this preview, I want to cover all the key features of this Foveon X3 DSLR, hopefully that the SD1 is what we really expected it to be. So let's start and get excited together!

New 46MP Foveon X3 Sensor

The Sigma SD1 flagship digital SLR has many brand new features. The first most exciting feature is the new 1.5x ASP-C(24x16mm) Foveon X3 sensor. The new Foveon X3 CMOS sensor has 46MP, which is 15.36MP x 3 layers. The camera will capture RAW images at 4800x3200 pixel resolution. Even so, with in-camera interpolation, the camera can output JPEG images at 46MP. The main advantage of Sigma's direct image sensor is the ability to capture all three colors (Red, Green and Blue). The bayer sensor, which can be found on all current DSLR cameras, can capture only 3rd of the light spectrum. The Bayer sensor utilizes filters to capture only one color for every pixel (Red [25%], Green [50%] or Blue [25%]). Without getting into complex technical details, it means that no anti-aliasing filter is present, and the camera can capture brilliant tack sharp and colorful images. Sigma increased the linear resolution by 81% compared to previous X3 models.

Here is a Sigma SD1 First Look video from Photokina 2010 (thanks to WhatDigitalCamera.com):

Even so, the Foven X3 sensor that was utilized on the Sigma SD15 and the SD14, had some disadvantages. The older Foveon X3 sensor suffered from a high amount of noise and chroma noise patterns, compared to the Bayer sensor. Because of that, many Sigma photographers found themselves shooting in low-ISO settings, and using noise reduction software to remove as much noise as possible. Another problem with the previous DSLRs was a color-shift when boosting up the ISO. Sigma DSLR fans were hoping that someday, Sigma will come up with a new replacement for the SD15, with a brand new Foveon X3 sensor, that will correct all of those problems.

Of course we don't have any evidence for any improvements on the new SD1 Foveon X3 sensor, but we can hope that Sigma has managed to solve most of the problems. Another big advantage of the Sigma SD1 Foveon sensor is its resolution. The Sigma SD15 featured a 20.7 X 13.8mm (1.5x crop) 14.45-megapixel Foveon X3 sensor. Considering that Sigma photographers will shoot mostly in the RAW format, 4.7 megapixels resolution is not "enough" these days. Many photographers were already amazed with the sharpness of the images that came out from that sensor. In their dreams, they hopped for a high resolution Foveon X3 sensor to come out. This could be a dream come true, and even become the best DSLR camera in terms of image quality (with a good glass in front).

We should also add the fact that the SD15 wasn't a huge upgrade over the Sigma SD14. After all, Sigma has utilized the same sensor, and upgraded the imaging processor to elevate the image quality, but that just wasn't enough. As Sigma celebrating its 10th anniversary as a camera manufacturer, it is very proud to announce the SD1 flagship DSLR camera.

A little bit of history..
Sigma has gone a long way since 2000. In 200 Sigma has teamed up with the Foveon X3 manufacturers. In 2002 the first Foveon X3 sensor was born, implemented into the heart of the Sigma SD9. In 2003 sigma introduced the Sigma SD10 DSLR. It took Sigma 4 years to come with a new replacement, the Sigma SD14. A year after, Sigma has introduced the Sigma DP1, which was the first camera with ASP-C sensor compact digital camera. The DP1 broke all the rules in terms of image quality. It was packed with a fixed 16.6mm wide prime lens, that elevate the image quality even further. In 2008 Sigma as acquired the "Foveon" company. At that point on, we then realized Sigma was getting even more serious about camera design. Sigma has also created more versions of the DP1, the DP2 and the DP1x. In 2010, Sigma announced the availability of the Sigma SD15 DSLR.

Body construction

With the Sigma SD1, Sigma is going to change the game rules. The Sigma SD1 is a very durable camera, which employs a magnesium alloy body with weather-resistant O-ring sealing.  The "O-ring" sealing means that the camera is both water-proof (I think) and dust proof. This is the end of the "plasticky" criticism that was thrown towards Sigma previous DSLR models.. When Sigma improved the body construction and weather sealing of the body itself, it actually invited professional photographers to try it out. Don't get me wrong, the Sigma SD15 was used by many professional photographers for studio works. Even so, when it comes to shooting in bad weather conditions, it just wasn't built for that.

When compared to the Sigma SD15 size, the SD15 dimensions are 144 x 107 x 81 mm vs. 145.5 x 112.5 x 80 mm of the SD1. The SD1 a bit larger than the SD15. In terms of ergonomics the SD15 was a pleasure to use (tried it myself), and I am pretty sure that the SD1 has the same convenient ergonomic construction, maybe even better.

Sigma Lenses

All Sigma's SD-series DSLR cameras used the Sigma SA bayonet mount. That means that when you buy interchangeable lenses for the SD1, you should buy a Sigma brand interchangeable lens. Luckily, Sigma is the largest independent lens manufacture in the world.  Sigma already has more than 50 interchangeable lenses for you to choose from. Sigma has proven to be one of the most favorite lens manufacturers among Canon and Nikon DSLR owners. As an experienced lens manufacturer, Sigma gained a lot of experience in the field of lens manufacturing.  When it comes to Technology and Innovation, you can trust Sigma to come with new technologies that will improve your every day life as a photographer.  Overall, if you need a normal, wide, ultra-wide or telephoto zoom lens (prime or zoom), Sigma has it!

Some photographers will see the AS-bayonet mount as an advantage, and others will see it as a disadvantage. Even so, I can understand why Sigma has chosen to use a branded mount on its DSLRs. After all, they want to sell more Sigma lenses, rather than enlarge the sales of Canon, Nikon or other lens manufacturers. Sigma's DC lenses are created to perfectly match the high specs of today's latest high-resolution sensors. To get the best image quality, you'll need a very high quality glass in front of the sensor. The combination of the brand new Foveon X3 sensor, together with Sigma's DC lenses, will produce the best possible image quality ever seen on any digital camera.  Of course this is more an assumption, and we still need to wait that the camera will be available for lab-testing to be 100% sure. I have a feeling that the Sigma SD1 will surprise us by a large margin.

3-inch LCD Screen

The Sigma SD1 features a 3-inch 460,000-dots resolution LCD Screen at the back of the camera. This is less than the standard, because most of today's DSLR cameras have a 921,000-dots resolution and even higher. This is not a deal breaker as far as I can see it. Even so, I would be happier to see a high resolution LCD instead of this one. I also think that when we see the image quality that the Sigma SD1 can produce, we will quickly forget about the comparably low-resolution LCD screen.

Other SD1 Features

• Dual TRUE II ("Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) image processors
• Brand new 11-point (twin cross-type) TTL phase difference detection AF sensor
• 98% FOV Pentaprism Viewfinder with 0.95x magnification
• Focus modes: Single AF, Continuous AF, Manual AF
• Built in Flash with 17mm lens angle support
• Compatible with CompactFlash (Type 1) memory cards
• Improved AF accuracy

Before we end this article, Here is another video presentation of the SD1 from Photokina 2010:

Summary

I honestly think that this is a very important milestone for Sigma as a camera manufacturer.  The Sigma SD1 can theoretically produce an amazing image quality. The new Foveon X3 sensor advantages are well known in photographers' communities. Many photographers are crossing their fingers, praying that Sigma has managed to solve the previous problems that photographers had with the SD14 and the SD15. If Sigma has managed to do so, we are probably looking at one of the most capable DSLR cameras in the world, in terms of image quality (leaving medium-format camera's aside).

The Sigma is scheduled to be available for shipment in February 2011. No more 1 year waiting for a new DSLR to be shipped. I can talk about the SD1 for hours and hours. At the end of the day, I felt like I've just found the camera I have been looking for. As far as for the SD1 estimated price, the SD1 supposed to cost around £1500 according to Yahoo News. Bravo Sigma, really, you have just made my day! - Should Nikon and Canon be worried?

You can purchase the Sigma SD1 from B&H Photo here.
Related articles:

Sigma releases SD1 (dpreview.com)
Sigma SD1 Press release (sigmaphoto.com)
Sigma SD1 official minisite (flash)

Sigma SD15 sample images
Sigma DSLR, a smart investment?
Sigma SD15 noise removal