Sigma unveils radical DP2 Quattro with re-thought ~19.6MP Foveon sensor

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 10 Feb 2014 at 11:40

It looks like now they are moving to partial colour interpolation now:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/0...ource=news-list&utm_medium=text&ref=title_0_0

It probably means lower colour resolution over the previous generation.

The 4:1:1 B:R:G arrangement makes it somewhat closer to a Bayer sensor TBH as that has 1:1:2 B:R:G arrangement,although each group of 4 B photodetectors has a dedicated R and G photodetector.

King4aDay · 10 Feb 2014 at 14:05

Such a wacky design. Not sure what I think really... I'd mainly been hoping that the rumours that Sigma might bring a Foveon sensor to m43 would come true. Never used a DP but they did appeal as a high detail, low-ISO, pocketable hiking camera for landscapes and I'm not sure the new Quattros will improve on any of that (although I see they're obviously addressing the complaints about high ISO, ergonomics and battery life). I wouldn't be surprised if the new designs were ergonomically good, but they look very awkward to try and pocket.

Ksanti · 10 Feb 2014 at 14:22

I honestly don't have a clue how the camera side could still be profitable unless it's a matter of developing the Foveon tech to a point where someone else buys it from them?

D.P. · 10 Feb 2014 at 14:52

The problem with the previous foveon sensor design is that the silicon absorbs much of the light (the basic design of the sensor is based on this behavior) so most of the light is wasted anyway, just like beyer design. This was especially apparent with the red wavelength.there was also the issue that as light penetrates the silicon substrate it diffuses and disperses reducing colour resolution which the design was trying to avoid.

The new design likely tries to resolve these issues by having larger photon capture sites for the deeper colour wavelengths. The unfortunate thing is the high resolution sensing is I the blue wavelength in this design rather than the green used in beyer designs. Green is useful because it is the middle wavelength between red and blue and is also much more common in the real world than blue.

The greatest asset is the lack of AA filter but as we have seen as soon as the beyer resolution is high enough (all modern sensors) there is very little need for an AA filter.

However itis great that they are pursing alternative technologies , but they should really look at joining the m43 initiative and putting their sensors into a widely camera system.

King4aDay · 10 Feb 2014 at 17:05

Whats the software like these days? Any major programs supported or is it still just the Sigma in-house stuff?

James J · 12 Feb 2014 at 23:48

sod the sensor, the camera looks horrible. Doesn't look comfy to hold at all lol.

GTRacer · 13 Feb 2014 at 00:08

James J said:
sod the sensor, the camera looks horrible. Doesn't look comfy to hold at all lol.

Doesn't look too ergonomically dissimilar to the grip+thumbs up stuff that Leica owners stick on their digital Ms to be honest. You have a grip area at the front and a deep hook for your thumb at the back, so it looks quite stable for single handed use.

James J · 13 Feb 2014 at 08:22

GTRacer said:
Doesn't look too ergonomically dissimilar to the grip+thumbs up stuff that Leica owners stick on their digital Ms to be honest. You have a grip area at the front and a deep hook for your thumb at the back, so it looks quite stable for single handed use.

As a leica owner I can safely say it's not required so I don't agree. Looks ghastly.

GTRacer · 13 Feb 2014 at 09:22

James J said:
As a leica owner I can safely say it's not required so I don't agree. Looks ghastly.

How do you know a Leica owner when you meet one?

One of the most common complaints is that there's nowhere to place your thumb on a M8/M9 since they don't have an advance lever like on the film Ms. The fact that Leica added a curve on the back of the new M suggests that they thought the same too. It's not an issue with a small lens, but put on a 35/1.2, any super fast 50, 75/1.4/2.0, any of the Tri-Elmars and the lack of purchase on the rear of the M8/M9 becomes very apparent. The Sigma is ugly, yes, but grip shape wasn't just plucked out of a ten year old's mind. It's just taking a ergonomic concept further.

Actually, scratch the ugly comment, I think it looks cool. It's like a streamlined and miniaturised Alpa 12:

James J · 14 Feb 2014 at 00:43

GTRacer said:
How do you know a Leica owner when you meet one?

One of the most common complaints is that there's nowhere to place your thumb on a M8/M9 since they don't have an advance lever like on the film Ms. The fact that Leica added a curve on the back of the new M suggests that they thought the same too. It's not an issue with a small lens, but put on a 35/1.2, any super fast 50, 75/1.4/2.0, any of the Tri-Elmars and the lack of purchase on the rear of the M8/M9 becomes very apparent. The Sigma is ugly, yes, but grip shape wasn't just plucked out of a ten year old's mind. It's just taking a ergonomic concept further.

Actually, scratch the ugly comment, I think it looks cool. It's like a streamlined and miniaturised Alpa 12:

A thumb grip wouldn't do anything to balance a noctilux weight lens, as thats what leica sell the proper grip for. Leica leather cases have a grip built into them also, so theres plenty of choice. The only thing I can possibly think of using a thumb grip for with an M9 is if you have extremely sweaty hands and no case lol.

Back on topic though - still think thats a damn ugly camera.