Review Date: September 8, 2014
Category: Serious Enthusiast
Photoxels Gold Award – Excellent Image Quality from RAW
USER’S EXPERIENCE
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 – Here’s what I receive in the box:
- Sigma dp2 Quattro
- Memory card: n/a
- Two Li-ion Batteries BP-51 7.2V 1200mAh 8.7Wh
- Battery Case (slides into the strap)
- Battery Charger BC-51 with power cord
- USB Cable
- Shoulder Strap
- Lens Cap
- Hot Shoe Cover
- Documentation: User’s Manual
- Software CD: n/a
Excellent image quality from RAW. The Sigma dp2 Quattro is not for the faint of heart. You will need to post-process your RAW images to obtain the unique Foveon flavor fans of the camera revel in.
If you are still reading this review, it means that you are probably very interested in the dp2 Quattro, are fully aware of the unconventional body design, no frills feature set and limitations when compared with other competing cameras — and are ready to walk eyes wide opened into a purchase. It’s the superlative (I know, adjectives abound when we talk about the Foveon image quality obtained from RAW) image quality that your eyes are laser focused upon and any other issues become mostly irrelevant.
If that is the case, welcome into the Sigma dp/Foveon “faction,” or whatever you may choose to call it. The Sigma dp2 Quattro passes the Foveon image quality test and, in this regard, we highly recommend it.
And don’t knock the unconventional design until you’ve had a chance to try it. I thought it was unusual and would be uncomfortable to hold for a long time — and spent a whole day shooting and not even notice anything was the matter. A friend picked it up and at once remarked that it was so comfortable and fit into his hand perfectly. Recommendation is to “try before you buy.”
Since the dp2 Quattro shines when you shoot in RAW, you’ll need to download the SIGMA Photo Pro 6.0.5 RAW Editor to process the RAW files. If you simply extract to JPEG as-is, it’s fast enough running on a Mac 2.5GHz Intel Core i5 with 8GB memory 1600 MHz DDR3. But when you apply adjustments, it slows down to about 1 min. 32 sec. for each RAW conversion to JPEG (with only Auto adjustment applied).
The dp2 Quattro is not a fast camera. It is not slow either and you won’t get frustrated waiting for the focus to lock. You will however have to wait as the images get written to memory card.
What I like about the dp2 Quattro:
- Excellent low ISO 100 JPEG image quality; outstanding image quality from RAW at ISO 100.
- No frills.
- Excellent tactile feel for the two top dials.
- Excellent tactile feel for the control buttons.
- Excellent prime lens.
- Memory Card goes into side of camera, not sharing space with battery compartment.
- Metal tripod mount in line with lens and sensor focal plane.
No review is complete without a couple of improvement suggestions:
- Improve speed performance of the SIGMA Photo Pro 6.0.5 RAW Editor.
- Would love a tiltable LCD with AF touch.
- I love macro and the lens needs to focus closer.
- Bigger writing buffer to speed up shot to shot times.
- Further improvement in focus speed and overall performance.
- Provide larger magnifications for manual focus and also Focus Peaking.
- Add a built-in flash.
- Make the strap lugs inset into the camera body.
- I left the best for last: interchangeable lenses.
I have no doubt that Sigma will continue to improve the design and features aspect of its cameras even though most photographers who shoot with the dp2 Quattro may not care too much since the particular image flavor of the Foveon sensor is what they are after.
That said, we believe it is not such a technological challenge these days to add some of the improvement suggestions we have listed. Even the seemingly huge challenge of adding a mount to accept interchangeable lenses does not seem to faze many lesser known, flash in the pan, camera “manufacturers.”
Sigma, who makes award-winning lenses for almost any mount size out there, should find it no technological challenge to appropriate a mount for its own cameras and make it work. Or, make cameras with any mount desired so users can attach their favorite brand lenses. Sigma cameras may then very well sell like hot cakes. In addition, a strategic alliance with Leica could benefit both companies: Sigma would benefit from Leica’s technical excellence while a Foveon sensor in a Leica MP would probably be the ultimate icing on the cake.
Even without any strategic alliance, as Sigma continues to bring improvement to the Foveon sensor and improve the other features of its cameras, there will undoubtedly come a time when it reaches the tipping point, jump the chasm of its niche market and become a serious contender in the larger consumer/prosumer market. For now, while consumers go about fussily comparing image quality from their Bayer-sensor cameras, a select few individuals are basking in the glory of the image quality of their Foveon-sensor cameras.
Buy the Sigma dp2 Quattro for its outstanding image quality from RAW, intuitive control dials and no frills. Highly Recommended.
Next: Sigma dp2 Quattro QuickFact Sheet / Buy
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