PC Tech World: Sigma

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Thursday, April 18, 2013

Sigma announces 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM zoom, breaks the elusive f/2.0 barrier

Sigma announces rarest of birds 1835mm f18 zoom

After opening a lot of eyes with its 30mm, F1.4 DC HSM lens, Sigma's just thrown another curve at the photo community with a feat that the major players haven't managed so far: a zoom lens with a fixed, sub f/2.0 aperture. The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM launched today for Canon APS-C cameras without being on anybody's radar, bringing over double the light than the priciest zooms, which typically top out at f/2.8 -- except for Olympus' $2,300 14-35mm f/2.0 Four Thirds model. The extra third of a stop over that model may not seem like much, but the company said it needed to "solve a variety of technical challenges" to build it in order to minimize distortion and aberration. Sigma's also promising fast autofocus via a hypersonic motor (with full-time manual override) and rubber-coated brass construction. There's no pricing or availability yet, but don't expect it to be cheap (think $2k plus) -- after all, it's the only game in town for now.

Via: Sony Alpha Rumors

Source: Sigma

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Sigma DP3 Merrill to ship in March, deliver distance macros for $999

Sigma Corporation announces pricing, availability of Sigma DP3 Merrill compact camera

Pocket-size, 46-megapixel camera available in early March for street price of $999

RONKONKOMA, N.Y., Feb. 22, 2013 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, has announced that its DP3 Merrill compact digital camera will be available in early March for the street price of $999.

As the final camera in the Sigma DP Merrill lineup, the DP3 Merrill features a high-performance 50mm F2.8 lens, which is equivalent to 75mm on a 35mm SLR camera. Like the previously released DP1 (19mm F2.8) and DP2 (30mm F2.8) Merrill cameras, it is equipped with the Foveon X3 direct image sensor, which uniquely produces outstanding resolution and a natural rendering with rich gradation, resulting in a 3D feel.

"The trio of DP Merrill cameras is a complete compact camera tool set," said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. "While the DP1 Merrill and DP2 Merrill cameras are known for their wide angle and standard range, respectively, the DP3 Merrill delivers impressive optical performance for mid-telephoto and macro shooting."

Other features of the DP3 Merrill include:

* A unique, dual, Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine (TRUE) II image processing engine, which is dedicated to Foveon X3 direct image sensors to improve the processing speed and overall quality of the final image, and provide high-resolution power

* The use of Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass that is accompanied by aspherical lens elements to compensate for a variety of aberrations and allow for a more compact size. The superior telecentric optical design improves image quality throughout the frame and adds depth to the image

* A minimum focusing distance of 8.9 inches and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3, which can offer quality macro shooting

* Easy-to-use auto focus that features a nine-point select mode to set the desired focusing point from nine different frames, and "free move mode," which can move the desired focus point. Manual Focus is available when autofocus or focus lock is not desired

* The new Face Detection AF prioritizes focus on the face of the subject when detected by the sensor. AF Limit Mode can adjust the range of auto focusing and "Shutter Priority AF" offers faster focus adjustment by stopping the live view to increase the speed of the auto focusing.

* The new AF+MF mode adjusts the focus manually after verifying the AF by rotating the focus ring

* RAW+JPEG format recording

* The supplied image processing software, Sigma Photo Pro 5.5, converts RAW data quickly and easily. It renders the full, 46-megapixel data. SPP 5.5 is an easy-to-use editing software with all the necessary functions needed to process an image. Moreover, the new Monochrome Mode makes it possible to generate monochrome images by fully optimizing the Foveon X3 direct image sensor capabilities

Source

By: Unknown On 4:49 PM

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

CES 2013: Sigma announces 46MP DP3 Merrill compact camera

The DP3 is Sigma's latest fixed lens premium compact

The DP3 Merrill has a 50mm f/2.8 optic, whereas the DP1 Merrill has a 19mm lens and the DP2 Merrill a 30mm lens.

Because the DP3 Merrill has an APS-C sized (23.4x15.7mm) sensor this 50mm lens produces images comparable with a 75mm on a full-frame camera.

As with Sigma's other 46MP compact cameras, the DP3 Merrill's sensor is a Foveon X3 Merrill device that makes use of the fact that light of different colours penetrates silicon to different depths. As a result, rather than having a Bayer pattern of coloured filters over its surface the Foveon X3 direct image sensor captures light via 15.26 receptors at 3 different depths.

Sigma claims that this, plus the lack of an anti-aliasing filter and the Dual TRUE II image processing engine enables the DP3 Merrill to produce images with detail on a par with those from 46MP cameras and excellent tonal gradations.

Image quality is further enhanced by the fact that the 50mm lens is specifically made to work with the camera's sensor and has a telecentric design so that light waves are close to perpendicular when they hit the sensor. The lens also makes use of Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, aspherical elements and has Super Multi-Layer Coatings to reduce flare and ghosting.

A large memory buffer enables the DP3 Merrill to shoot up to 7 raw images in a continuous burst of 4fps. Files may also be recorded in JPEG format or raw and JPEG simultaneously. These images are subsequently written to an SD, SDHC or SDXC card.

Manual focus is possible using a ring on the lens, but the camera also has a 9-point autofocus system and the points can be selected manually or automatically by the camera. There's also a Face Detection AF mode and a Shutter Priority AF option that speeds focusing by stopping the live view feed.

At the back of the camera is a 3-inch TFT LCD monitor, with 920,000 dots. Sigma claims that the screen has good visibility in various lighting conditions and benefits from a wide viewing angle.

A hotshoe can be found on top of the camera for adding accessories such as a dedicated external flashgun.

A Sigma DP3 Merrill price has yet to be confirmed, as has the availability date.