What on Earth?

[Black Pearl]

Anyone want to jump in with a why?

http://photorumors.com/2014/02/09/si...ed/#more-54740

[Shadowman]

I'll wait until they can produce more evidence.

[dan marchant]

Anyone want to jump in with a why?

http://photorumors.com/2014/02/09/si...ed/#more-54740

OK, why read a pointless sight like that?

[Glenn NK]

Why not?

It might be a very functional design, albeit a major departure from current cams. It might just be quite comfortable to hold.

The focus button is right where I want it (I use back button focus, not the shutter release).

It's very slim (sensors aren't very thick), and the shape provides room for a very large LCD plus controls.

It's obviously mirrorless (this is the future of cameras I think) and the register distance must be quite short so will require a new line of lenses (register distance = lens mounting flange to sensor), but Sigma has been making considerable headway with lenses lately.

Finally, why look like all the others? Olympus and Nikon have recently introduced retro looking cameras, but I think this trend will stop as there is no functional reason to look retro.

The present form of SLR/DSLR bodies look very much different than the camera my mother bought in 1937 before she was married. (It was a bellows style, with a little viewfinder mounted on the front corner).

cheers,

Glenn

[Black Pearl]

I must say it has me completely fascinated. I've had the opportunity to use thousands and thousands of cameras so design and handing are of interest as I'm lucky enough to be able to compare anything that if different.

I really hope it comes about and that they fire off a load of glass to go with it - Fuji have done it with their X range so I see no reason why Sigma can't knock out the lenses to go with a new system.

Save people jumping to the link:

[Black Pearl]

It gets weirder

http://m.dpreview.com/news/2014/02/1...&ref=title_0_0

[Colin Southern]

I might buy one; got a feeling it may be a good investment in that I reckon they'll be collectors items about 1 year after the first and only production run.

All I can think of is they're trying to produce a digital equivalent of the original Kodak Instamatic, with the usual "smoke and mirrors" over their quirky sensor design.

[John 2]

Well it's different but it's hard to see what it adds as a design solution. Looks a bit awkward. Most of the blurb seems to be about the sensor.

[Donald]

Anyone got any idea how much they intend to charge for it?

[Stagecoach]

I suppose we have had the phase where phones have been adapted to cameras so why not bottle top openers as well

[Black Pearl]

I'm rather partial to a fixed lens compact, I love the X100 but a three camera line up each with a different fixed lens is an unusual approach.

[RustBeltRaw]

When they say "fixed lens," I believe they mean only primes will be available (note that the Photo Rumors post includes a shot of a detached lens). Correction: that is not a lens, it's an external, hot-shoe mounted optical viewfinder (note the T-shaped portion at the bottom of the body). Thanks to Robin for making me realize my error. Personally, I have no problem with that move, but it does mean the camera won't be as usable for entry-level customers. So this is probably an enthusiast/prosumer product.



Personally, I'm intrigued, despite not being in the market for a smaller camera. Sigma apparently had the stones to go full-futuristic when the trend is largely retro. The control layout looks sensible. Dual dials. The buttons are carefully-selected and widely-spaced. The body itself is wide and flat, which will give a stable grip while still packing pretty small. Looks fairly ergonomic. I'm curious enough to give it a try if I see one in stores.

[Glenn NK]

It gets weirder

http://m.dpreview.com/news/2014/02/1...&ref=title_0_0

Fixed focal length lenses? Tell me they're kidding. I have two fixed focal length lenses because there are no zoom options for a macro and a TS.

I'll retract my positive take.

[Black Pearl]

When they say "fixed lens," I believe they mean only primes will be available (note that the Photo Rumors post includes a shot of a detached lens). Personally, I have no problem with that move, but it does mean the camera won't be as usable for entry-level customers. So this is probably an enthusiast/prosumer product.

I might be reading this wrong but it seems there are three cameras each with its own fixed lens.

Wide-angle, standard, and medium telephoto options

All of the fundamental photographic approaches in one lineup of three cameras

The dp series comprises three fixed focal length cameras, each of which features a different basic focal length for a different fundamental photographic approach: the wide-angle dp1 Quattro at 19mm, the standard dp2 Quattro at 30mm, and the medium telephoto dp3 Quattro at 50mm (respectively equivalent to 28mm, 45mm, and 75mm on a 35mm lens). Moreover, the three models share an exciting new camera body that brings out the best performance from the lens and image sensor.


Someone at Sigma either has a crystal ball and has seen into the future where they know this route has done well or they've got a serious pair of plums.

[rpcrowe]

It has been many-many moons since I have shot with a camera that has a non parallax compensated viewfinder. If memory serves me correctly, shooting with one was a great PITA.

Since I also consider shooting any moving subject using live view and the LCD as just as much a PITA and shooting non-moving subjects only slightly less so; this camera and any of the mirror-less and viewfinder-less cameras as have absolutely no interest for me. I wouldn't want one even if it has one of those those silly optical viewfinders that sit in the hotshoe of the camera and prevent you from using that hotshoe for the purpose which it is intended...

BTW: I also don't like electronic viewfinders. I have used one recently on my son-in-law's Canon SX-50 and didn't like it one bit!

I personally opt for a DSLR with a very good TTL viewfinder, such as my Canon 7D and I am willing to carry the weight/bulk of that camera...

[RustBeltRaw]

I might be reading this wrong but it seems there are three cameras each with its own fixed lens.

I stand corrected. Odd. They must be aiming for part of the Fuji X100's market. Not sure if the camera's other features will jive with that.

Someone at Sigma either has a crystal ball and has seen into the future where they know this route has done well or they've got a serious pair of plums.

My vote's for the plums. Good for them. Regardless of whether these cameras fly, I'm in favor of a company that can take a risk on a big idea.

[Saorsa]

I think I'd like to get my hands on one to see how it feels.

My D300 feels a lot better in my hands but the full V1 kit is a lot easier to carry around.

Say, how about the three lenses on a turret?

[KmH]

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/article/si...k=feb-m-01-dp2

[Colin Southern]

OK - so lets hear some guestimates on price!

[shreds]

Doesn't really matter Colin, although it might make an interesting door stop. What do they cost?