Sigma DP2s Camera Review by Gene Wright

The DP2s Sigma is a well-built camera, it's hard to tell if the the dated looking blocky styling and archaic control layout look is Sigma's attempt at retro design or not. At best the handling is middling, while the slow, noisy operation and terrible poor-light focusing could put the casual photographer off, assuming that the frightening price tag didn't already send them scurrying back to the shelter of a more traditional compact digital. Although if you're ready to handle its imperfections you are rewarded with spectacular photo quality and shooting versatility that out performs any other digital compact bar none.

People call the DP2s an astounding little camera, every since the first DP1 arrived. it was the first of the new Sigma DP line of full-spec Compact Digital Cameras that - distinctively and ground breaking packed the core of a DSLR into a compact body. From its unpretentious and understated look you'd never presume this camera could provide such super-high photo quality. it's no wonder everybody who's shot with it has been astonished by this incredible little compact camera.

The Sigma Foveon X3® proprietary three-layered direct image sensor creates a unique 3-D appearance, along with a sort of clarity and astuteness you'd expect from a DSLR camera, images you might capture with a much larger camera. it's no small feat that both amateur and expert photographers worldwide have fallen head over heals with it.

Although it's small enough to take anywhere, the DP2s comes up with image quality simply high enough to beautifully print in larger sizes. The DP1s has created a brand new category - a full-specification compact camera - and launched new horizons for a large number of amateur photographer enthusiasts. The kind of stuff that makes Sigma happy. Although this is just a logical result of going with their photographic convictions.

The AF performance might be a tad quicker - Autofocus doesn't work well particularly when close to subjects. The LCD screen freezes up when pressing shutter half way for AF. There is poor image results at ISO 1600 or 3200 which can only be used when shooting RAW - When capturing long exposures, the processing can take longer than normal, as long as 4 or 5 seconds. Additionally long exposures are capped at 15 seconds And don't even bother using ISO 400 or higher. Some shadows or dark frame areas might have a magenta hue depending upon the mood of the camera, Also it 's not too easy to eliminate employing white balance and color adjustments with the Sigma Photo PRO software. Aug 20, 2011

Foveon X3 Image Sensor
The 14 megapixel FOVEON X3 direct image sensor (2652 x 1768 x 3 layers), is the same as used in the Sigma SD14 digital SLR. .

Fast Lens
A 24.2mm f/2.8 Sigma lens, with field of view equivalent to 41mm on a 35mm film camera, has been developed to maximize the image quality in conjunction with the full color capture image sensor

Sigma 'True II' Image Processor
Sigma's unique and powerful 'True II' enabling it to handle the large image files produced by the 14 megapixel sensor and reproduce exceptional definition with image quality equal to professional digital SLR cameras and on a par with top quality film.

Versatile Focus System
The AF area of the DP2s is equipped with 9 focusing points, and it is possible to manually select the desired focusing point of the 9 available.

Accurate Color
The DP2s takes advantage of the image sensor's superior technology to capture accurate, full color image information.

Advanced Metering
The DP2s has three metering modes, Evaluative Metering, Center Weighted Average Metering and Spot Metering.

Built-in Flash and Hot Shoe
The built-in pop-up flash has a guide number of 6 (ISO100/m), and the flash has settings for Normal Flash, Red-Eye Reduction Flash and Slow Synchro Mode

Movie Recording
The camera can record movies with QVGA resolution (320 x 240) at a fame rate of 30 fps, plus the digital zoom function can be used during movie shooting.

2.5 inch LCD Display
The Sigma DP2s is equipped with a large 2.5" TFT color LCD monitor with 100% image preview, making confirmation of composition, focusing and exposure quick and easy.

Records JPEG & RAW Files
This compact camera includes JPEG recording format for speed and convenience and a RAW data (X3F) recording mode for retaining full image capture detail of the utmost quality.

Includes Sigma Photo Pro 4.0 Software
The DP2s comes complete with Sigma Photo Pro 4.0 software

• Sigma DP-2S Digital Point and Shoot Camera
• Li-ion Battery BP-31
• Battery Charger BC-31
• Lens Cap LCP-11
• Neck Strap NS-11
• Soft Case CS-70
• Hot Shoe Cover HSC-11
• USB Cable
• Video Cable
• SIGMA Photo Pro Disc
• Instruction Manual
• Sigma Warranty