Sigma announces DP2 digi compact

Same APS-C sensor as the Sigma SD15

23 September 2008 10:59 GMT / By Katie Scott

Just as 2 years ago, Sigma announced a new DSLR and a new compact at the biennial Photokina tradeshow, this year's event has seen updates of both models.

The SD14 has now been followed by the SD15, and, on the digital compact front, the DP1 now has a successor in the DP2.

This model packs in a 14-megapixel APS-C sized sensor - the same Foveon sensor as is central to the SD14 and new SD15 DSLRs.

This sensor is 20.7 x 13.8mm, which Sigma claims is approximately seven to twelve times larger than the 1/1.8inch to 1/2.5inch image sensors used in ordinary compact digital cameras.

The DP2 also has a 24.2mm f/2.8 lens, which is the equivalent to 41mm on a 35mm SLR camera.

The True II image processing engine, which is also a feature of the SD15, has been built into the DP2 - and is designed specifically to work with the three layer Foveon sensor.

The DP2 includes a RAW as well as JPEG file recording mode.

Also worth a mention are the camera's three metering modes: Evaluative Metering, Centre Weighted Average Metering and Spot Metering; pop-up (manual) built-in flash and manual focus.

The DP2 also boasts a 2.5-inch TFT colour LCD monitor and a hot shoe.

Bundled with the DP2, will be Sigma's Photo Pro software which is a RAW image developer that converts all RAW data.

Also adjustments can be made in three separate modes: The X3F Mode stores the original settings of the image at the point of capture. In the Auto Adjustment Mode, the software analyses and automatically makes adjustments to the RAW data, and finally the Custom Mode allows the photographer to make individual adjustments.

The DP2 is 113.3 x 59.5 x 54.6mm.

We don't have a price as yet but we'll keep you posted.