Review Date: September 8, 2014
Category: Serious Enthusiast
Photoxels Gold Award – Excellent Image Quality from RAW
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Sigma dp2 Quattro continues the Foveon tradition of producing outstanding image quality from RAW files. It improves on previous dp models in performance and AF speed.
The dp2 Quattro is unconventioally shaped and it’s a body design that we recommend you try before you buy at a retail store. Some people love it, some hate it, others can live with it. The control dials and buttons have excellent tactile feedback and the no frills camera appeal to many who just want a camera to take excellent images.
It is safe to say that those who end up buying the dp2 Quattro will do so because of the outstanding image quality they can obtain from the RAW files with superb level of detail preserved. Those who love the images obtained from the Foveon sensor use superlatives such as “exceptional,” “phenomenal” and “breathtaking.” Some even compare the results to images taken with a medium-format film camera. You will, however, have to work at it in post processing using the capable but very slow SIGMA Photo Pro 6.0.5 RAW Editor.
The dp2 Quattro is a no-frills camera: besides PASM and a couple of custom modes, there are no AUTO mode, Scene Modes, built-in flash, and the LCD does not tilt or respond to touch. There is no Wi-Fi or Art Filters, though Color Mode provides a useful array of digital filters. You do get a Live Histogram, a practical digital level and two excellent control dials that should be all you’ll ever need to operate this camera.
The Sigma dp2 Quattro is capable of capturing very detailed and excellent image quality when shooting in RAW at the low ISOs. It requires post-processing in capable hands, so it is not recommended as an everyday point-and-shoot camera. It’s, however, Highly Recommended for those who are willing to put forth the effort to bring out the best in their images.
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