Sigma DP2

Opinion: This camera is fun to use, produces great images and still is reasonably small and therefore my daily companion for the last 4 months.

The f/2.8 lens together with the sensor and storing RAW images produce great results up to ISO 800. I cannot comment on any special look due to the Foveon sensor - I edit the RAW images to suit my taste and I'm happy with it.

Coming from using a Nikon DSLR and lens collection, the DP2 is an equally professional tool which requires some getting used to. After the initial learning curve, it's quick to get to the settings required for the situation. I compose my shots, therefore the mentioned "sluggishness" (aka write speed of the RAW images) is not a problem for me.

Autofocus and other aspects have been continuously improved by firmware updates and I have not had any problems with freezes or whatsoever. In low light situation focusing can fail, but here the manual focus works reasonably well.

While sometimes tempted to take along the DSLR and the variety of lenses to play with, often times I find myself choosing the small DP2 instead and using my feet as the "manual zoom". The quality of the RAW images is certainly equal.

Recent price drops have moved this camera into a segment where it's unchallenged regarding the image and feature quality.

PS: Before buying the DP2 I did my investigation and the list of interesting cameras for this purpose (portability) besides the Sigma came down to Canon S90 and Panasonic LX3. Having done test shots with all cameras, I cannot follow the difference in the ratings here on dpreview especially between the S90 and the DP2.

Opinion: I've had my DP2 for about 3 months now and find it a joy.

Yes it has limitations, but I was aware of all that before I decided that it was the right camera for my style of photography.
Note that some of the early horror stories have been fixed with firmware upgrades - I have not had the camera freeze on me ever.
Once you get used to the quirks they become second nature - but I'm only using the DP2 - I can understand that people switching between cameras might find it's idiosyncracies annoying, but not an issue for me.

If you read the forum everyone bangs on about the "filmlike foveon look" - Not sure if it is wish fulfillment, but I think it's true, my prints do seem to have a warmth that I used to get with Kodachrome.

IQ in a small package was my prime requirement - and that has been met in spades.

Opinion: Excellent camera. Images are full of life.

Opinion: Excellent camera. Images are full of life.

Opinion: Excellent camera. Back to basics. Be patient with it and you will enjoy using the DP2 and obtain excellent results. I still prefer the DP1 because of the 28mm lens.
Don't be put off by the negative feedbacks. This camera is totally different to the mass production (toy) cameras from Panasonic, Canon etc. Highly recommended. I am interested in photography again because the DP2 gives me total control.

Opinion: Excellent camera for learning serious photography
*****************************************

Pros:
*excellent size, smaller and much lighter than pen, truly pocketable
*pictures having a magic light, especially when using 3xf fill light
*prints are totally sharp and on par with expensive dslrs
*discreet and unobtrusive design, brand safe from being stolen
*easy to learn manual controls and photography basics
*focus wheel intuitve and easy to use
*feels solid and comfortable to carry and use (with franiec grip!)
*interval timer allows timelapse and stopmotion
*shutter is almost silent
*raw files very easy to edit in sigma photo pro

Cons:
*colours fade at higher than iso 200 and chroma noise (good for b&w)
*autofocus is slow (remember to change the autofocus range to high!)
*when photographing towards the sun, red tones may appear
*the motor is making noise when turning on and autofocusing
*a small delay from pressing the shutter to picture taken (use multiple)
*menu is confusing and lacking options for programming (differs from dp1)
*screen lacks the pixelcount and quality for showing nice previews
*the closest focus is 28cm, with closeup lens 18cm
*lens cap snaps on only in one position (learn to rotatepush your hand)
*sigma photo pro (spp) is needed for getting the most out of the pictures
*lack of hand grip (dots only) - a franiec grip gives you a different camera!
*no stabilizer means you should use a tripod when less than full sun

************************************************************

Have used the camera for 3 months and taken over 2000 pictures with it, both at sunset, midday and indoors, forests and lakes, children and streets, sceneries and architecture, plus the sun, moon and stars.

Being forced to use a 41mm (equiv) lens has taught me more than books could about how to frame and position myself to the motive, being more creative and daring, learning intended cropping as part of composition.

The camera has a body small enough to fit the pocket of a travelshirt, or to carry hanging by the side in the strap, over or under the jacket depending on weather.

I only shoot raw and occationally video and sound, the jpgs are quite ok, yet the raw are truly amazing and highlights can be recovered easily, lowlights tend to have a bit colour noise, so better to expose a tad high

I use iso 100 almost all the time, a tripod or a stone, aperture 13 for nature sceneries with a hyperfocal distance of 5 meters, easy and fun

This is a wonderful camera for nature, architecture, humans and animals that are relatively still, group shots and stock - in low light it is great for black and white, and in sunlight it gives astonishing colour clarity

I truly recommend carrying at least a pocket tripod, all images without moving motives with iso 100 on tripod gives pixelsharp shots free of cromatic aberration or vignetting (see http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2009/06/09/Sigma-DP2/p1s)

Menu system is realtively easy to learn, although the qs button has two modes so you must look at the screen to see what you can do

Use of manual focus and possible hyperfocal setting gives you a wonderful feeling of freedom, the silent and fast ability to click any time, as long as there is sunlight - for indoor pictures its tripod or b&w

Dp2 is great for learning manual photography, for supplementing a dslr (with fast focus and lenses) or a pocketcamera (for snapshots)

For those who have only used filmcameras, the sigma imho presents a more analog look, quite different than using a other cameras, as themagneplanar hifi that despite its lack of deep bass it still presents a soundscape vastly different than normal speakers

Using foveon for a year feels like using records vs cds (mp3/cd, or mobile/landline) detail and emotional quality rather than the convenience of the ordinary http://www.flickr.com/groups/foveon3d/

My collection of advice and experiences from the sigma users during the last two years, highly recommended reading for all users of dp1 and dp2

http://solsang.dk/solsang/Advice.html
(same in live edited version on http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ARddveJWxIl_ZGZuN3Y0ZG1fMTA1ZmRyOHNkaHE&hl=en_GB )

Final word; you must try the sigma photo pro x3f fill light on raw files to see the potential of this camera, i always use it for my photos, and especially love the negative fill light for dreamy sceneries

Opinion: If you understand and stay within the boundaries of this cameras capabilities you will be rewarded.

Opinion: I am just an 'average guy' that wants to take a decent photo once in a while. I've had the DP2 for about two weeks now, and glanced through the user manual. Without trying, this camera takes the best digital photos I've ever taken, on a consistent basis. Is every shot a winner, no, but my rate of 'keepers' is much higher than any other digital camera (point and shoots) I have owned (Contax Tvs Digital, Leica D-Lux3, Ricohs Gx100 and Gx200). Is it the easiest camera to use? No, but the final results are worth it.

Opinion: There is a good review of the DP1 at Louminous Landscape