Last Updated on 03/11/2014 by Chris Gampat
Recently, we had the opportunity to play with the world’s weirdest point and shoot camera: one of the versions of the Sigma DP Quattro. Besides having a sensor with medium format performance, the ergonomics and design are a bit out of this world. Though we handled a pre-production model, we were still scratching our heads about the camera.
Tech Specs
Taken from Sigma’s product page
dp2 Quattro | |
Focal Length | 30mm |
35mm Equivalent Focal Length | Approx 45mm |
Lens F number | F2.8-16 |
Number of Diaphragm Blades | 9 Blades |
Lens Construction | 8 Elements in 6 Groups |
Shooting Range | 28cm-∞, LIMIT Mode (For Macro, Portrait and Scenery) |
Maximum Magnification Shooting | 1:7.6 |
Dimensions | 6.4in (W)x2.6in (H)x3.2in (D)/ 161.4mm (W)x67mm (H)x81.6mm (D) |
Weight | 13.9 oz/395g (without battery or memory card) |
COMMON SPECIFICATION
Image Sensor | Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor (CMOS) | ||
Image Sensor Size | 23.5×15.7mm | ||
Color Photo Detectors | Effective Pixels: Approx 29MPT(Top): 5424×3616/ M(Middle): 2712×1808/ B(Bottom): 2712×1808
Total Pixels: Appprox 33MP |
||
Storage Media | SD Card, SDHC Card, SDXC Card | ||
File Format | Lossless compression RAW data (14-bit), JPEG (EXIF2.3), RAW+JPEG | ||
JPEG Image Quality | FINE, NORMAL, BASIC | ||
Aspect Ratio | 21:9、16:9、3:2、4:3、1:1 | ||
Number of Recording Pixels | RAW | HIGH | T:5,424×3,616 / M:2,712×1,808 / B:2,712×1,808 |
LOW | T:2,704×1,808 / M:2,704×1,808 / B:2,704×1,808 | ||
JPEG [21:9] | SUPER-HIGH | 7,680×3,296 | |
HIGH | 5,424×2,328 | ||
LOW | 2,704×1,160 | ||
JPEG [16:9] | SUPER-HIGH | 7,680×4,320 | |
HIGH | 5,424×3,048 | ||
LOW | 2,704×1,520 | ||
JPEG [3:2] | SUPER-HIGH | 7,680×5,120 | |
HIGH | 5,424×3,616 | ||
LOW | 2,704×1,808 | ||
JPEG [4:3] | SUPER-HIGH | 6,816×5,120 | |
HIGH | 4,816×3,616 | ||
LOW | 2,400×1,808 | ||
JPEG [1:1] | SUPER-HIGH | 5,120×5,120 | |
HIGH | 3,616×3,616 | ||
LOW | 1,808×1,808 | ||
ISO Sensitivity | ISO100~ISO6400 (1/3 steps for appropriate sensitivity), AUTO: High limit, low limit setting is possible between ISO100~ISO6400. When using with flash, it changes depending on the low limit setting. | ||
White Balance | 10 types (Auto, Auto (Lighting Source Priority), Daylight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Color Temperature, Flash, Custom) | ||
Color Mode | 11 types (Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Portrait, Landscape, Cinema, Sunset Red, Forest Green, FOV Classic Blue, FOV Classic Yellow, Monochrome) | ||
Auto Focus Type | Contrast Detection Type | ||
AF Point | 9 points select mode, Free move mode (It is possible to change the size of Focus Frame to Spot, Regular and Large.) Face Detection AF mode | ||
Focus Lock | Shutter release halfway-down position (AF lock can be done by AE lock button from menu setting) | ||
Manual Focus | Focus Ring Type | ||
Metering Systems | Evaluative Metering, Center-Weighted Average Metering, Spot Metering | ||
Exposure Control System | (P) Program AE (Program Shift is possible), (S) Shutter Speed Priority AE, (A) Aperture Priority AE, (M) Manual | ||
Exposure Compensation | ±3EV (1/3 stop increments) | ||
AE Lock | AE lock button | ||
Auto Bracketing | Appropriate, under, over; 1/3EV steps up to ±3EV for appropriate exposure | ||
Shutter speed | 1/2000* – 30sec. (*Depending on the aperture value, shutter speed changes) | ||
Drive Modes | Single, Continuous, Self Timer (2sec. /10sec.) Interval timer | ||
LCD Monitor Type | TFT color LCD monitor | ||
Monitor Size | 3.0 inches | ||
LCD Pixels | Approx. 920,000 Pixels | ||
LCD Monitor Language |
English/ Japanese/ German/ French/ Spanish/Italian/ Chinese (Simplified)/ Chinese (Traditional)/ Korean/ Russian/ Nederlands/ Polski/ Português/ Dansk/ Svenska/ Norsk/ Suomi |
||
Interfaces | USB / Cable Release Switch | ||
Power | Li-ion Battery Pack BP-51, Battery Charger BC-51, AC Adapter SAC-6 (with DC Connector CN-21) (Optional) |
Ergonomics
When Sigma’s engineers designed the DP Quattro camera series, they were either incredibly brave or enjoying some extremely fermented brew. This camera, with all due respect, is one of the weirdest things that I’ve ever seen. Sigma’s designers wanted to have an emphasis on the grip, lens, and sensor–and that’s pretty much what they’re doing.
The camera has no controls on the front, but that’s perfectly okay.
Unfortunately, the execution of how the camera was designed is a bit odd. There surely is a grip on the camera–but it seems to go more into the palm of my hand than having my fingers curve around it to snugly hold it in place. In fact, the design seems to mimic the look of a phone more than anything; and if Sigma decided to put a microphone into the grip then it could be a more viable option.
Alas though, this camera isn’t pocketable at all.
The top is where you’ll find certain exposure controls and the shutter release in addition to power buttons and such.
The back is a mix of other controls–these aren’t completely clear to me in how they’d work with the interface since the camera didn’t have a battery when we tried it. As you can see though, it is mostly an LCD screen.
Autofocus
Sadly, the unit that we saw didn’t have a battery inside and was completely inoperable.
Build Quality
Despite how weird the camera looks and feels, I have to admit that the build quality feels top notch. Not a single thing about the camera feels cheaply made–and if you were really concerned about a robber taking it you could reverse it and use the grip as a hammer to bash them over the head.
Image Quality
We couldn’t stick a card into the camera to capture image quality because there was no battery.
Le sigh…
First Impressions
We’re going to have to wait until the production model comes in for us to test the image quality and the experience. But from what we’re seeing right now, we’re a bit perplexed.