Sigma SD14

Opinion: -The camera produces very sharp images-- especially
when used with Sigma EX lenses.

-Image quality is astounding, no exaggeration.

-ISO 50 is completely noise free.

-Bokeh is very smooth, much more like film then digital.

-The mirror lock function is great for macro work when
used in combination with the remote shutter release.

-The viewfinder is bright, and the auto-focus selection
is vivid.

Opinion: Images are full of life.

Opinion: Moved to the Sigma SD14 after film, particularly a 6x7 Medium Format system. So, my benchmarks are quite high, for two reasons. I enjoy quality over quantity and being an electronics and computer science engineer, i can comfortably sift through marketing hype to get to the fundamentals. Therefore spent quite some time experimenting with digital camera's as i was doubtful of the image quality with the current state of affairs in the digital domain...how much the camera actually captures and how much it manipulates (or how much i need to do and what is the scope of control possible).

The SD14 for me comes closest to quality image capture. Period.

Learning curve to understand the language this camera speaks requires experimentation and effort on one's part. Invest in it, for the returns you get are priceless.

Try the camera out yourself and decide what's most appropriate for you!

Opinion: PROS
- current market price (because SD15 is coming soon)
- build quality
- picture quality is amazing
- unbelievable colors
- resolution 2640*1760 is adequate for small/medium prints
- bundled software SPP is nice to use and you can get max from the picture. No need to buy 3rd party software

It is not for instant P&S photographer. This camera is not about features but about outstanding picture colors&quality. Do we need more?

Opinion: This week I have purchased a used SD14 body and an older 2.8/24-70 Sigma lens for it. I know the results from quite a lot digital cameras, all with Bayer patterned sensors, one of them without low-pass filter, with pixel counts up to 12 MP.
The SD14 beats them all in terms of image quality. I LOVE the results of the SD14: excellent color, film-like brightness, beautiful contrast, wide dynamic range, and perfect rendition of finest details. Especially detail rendition is MUCH better than what can be done by a Bayer sensor and its related algorithm. Before I saw the results from my SD14 I simply didn't know that there might be such a tremendous difference.

Opinion: Camera is made for daylight and overexposured photos. Specific of a sensor work allow you to make photos with very low noise level at all ISO range (Dynamic range (or ISO simulation) allow you to make photos on ISO800 with EV+2 and recover image from RAW file with same noise level like on ISO200). If you will make underexposured photos you will receive photos with color artefacts at all ISO levels (better to make photos with positive EV, it's will warrant you noise level reduction). Camera makes photos without color noise, but on underexposured photos comes with color aftefacts (zones with some color difference). RAW image see a real 4,6MP of a full color image (also I'll ask you to look for mosaic sensor description :) ).

P.S: I'm Sorry for my English...

Opinion: This is a much superior category. Pics are incomparable,
much better. no aliasing, no moire, colors are rich
and saturated like high dynamic range.
Reminds me the medium format in deep of field & kodak Gold or Kodak Ultra (colors saturated).
Sharpness & definition superb.
An other level in process of developing technology.
improving memory capacity and this could be unbeatable in terms of image quality. I hope that the new SD15
will be much closer to perfection and compete with the rest. Foveon sensor is more film like.
I love this camera more than any other one due to it high image quality incomparable. Using RAW.
Overexposing +1 or +2 steps, the dark areas do not
show noise, afterwards we can adjust the right exposure
and dynamic range with the SPP software very easily,
specially in the long exposures with low light.
Green color cast and spots are minimized or desappear.
the opposite to the Bayer sensor. Foveon is diferent.
I use this cemra with 18-200 OS lenses & now I got
the 15-30 EX that one is a superb lens for landscapes
very high quality optic I´m very satisfied with it.
the large zoom it is also very good but the short one
EX glass is superb. Full frame wide angle = 25>51mm
very usefull for around 220.00€new, its a bargain.

Opinion: Looked for right system for me for a couple of years. Very happy with my choice.
With new S/ camera performing rather good. In my opinion, EX glass is must.

Opinion: An update to my post six months ago. I have edited the old post down for ease of
reading.

Having used the camera for a year now I have upgraded the construction mark to 5
because it is superbly put together and I've increased the ease of use to 3 because
although it is unforgiving it shouldn't take a proficient photographer long to get to
grips with it.

Sigma have just released a new version of Photo Pro the software that develops the
images from the SD14. This is in my opinion the most significant development
since the camera was released. The processing speed has now been improved and
the highlight control does work better.

The SD14 is almost another another media going beyond regular digital and adding
film behaviour. The dynamic range is phenomenal.

6 Months ago...

My background is in manual 35mm and medium format. I
wanted a digital camera that was as close to an 'old fashioned' manual slr as
possible and after much research I settled on the SD14.

I have rated the features as average. This is not a criticism but an advantage for
purists like myself. This is not a camera for those who want lots of scene modes or
other gimmicks.

It is possible to get amazing images from the SD14 but it needs good lenses
(Sigma’s EX range) and huge amounts of perseverance from the user. Any lack of
quality in the lens will adversely affect the sensors response.

The amount of perseverance you’re prepared to tolerate will depend on
your photographic style. If you're a competent methodical photographer who
fully understands the precise advantages and disadvantages of camera adjustments
to get the best image and the patience to keep trying to get that great photo then
this is for you.

If you are in any doubt about this walk away, this is an extremely
unforgiving camera and in the wrong hands it can produce awful results that don't
do it justice.

The SD14 benefits a lot from a high speed compact flash card and a decent flash,
diffused.

In the right hands of a very patient photographer it will produce amazing quality
images, although the resolution is good it cannot be compared to 14 megapixels.
That said the SD14 is about more than megapixels, it's dynamic range is v.wide and
behaves like film, the colours are very realistic, the special soft/'knocked out' out
look that can be achieved with the X3 Fill function is amazing and unique to this
series of cameras and there is a huge amount of creative control.