Photography News issue 23

Camera test 43

Photography News Issue 23 absolutephoto.com

ISO performance These images are Raws processed using Sigma’s PhotoPro6 software using default noise reduction settings. The exposure for the ISO 100 picture was 1.3sec at f/8. You can see plenty of detail in the glass window at ISO 100 and that quality is still there at ISO 400 but it falls away quickly soon after. Noise and detail are less impressive by the time ISO 800 is reached and there is the risk of colour artefacts too. In summary, image quality in the ISO 100-400 region is comparable to other APS-C format sensors, but once into the higher ISOs, the dp0 compares much less favourably.

Original image

ISO 100

scene on several occasions with the Panasonic GX8 (also tested this issue) with its conventional mosaic sensor. In many cases straight-out- of-the-camera JPEGs were broadly similar but, for example, with some bluebell flowers the Sigma seemed to be more accurate and less mauve than the Panasonic. Generally, with both cameras on standard colour settings, the Panasonic seemed more vibrant and livelywithcolours,while the Sigma was more restrained and subtle. One was not ‘better’ than the other, just different – and this was with out-of-the-camera JPEGs. The camera itself performed well. AFwas quick and accurate, while the exposure andwhite-balance systems proved commendably accurate. Despite the bulk of the LVF‑01 finder, I preferred using the camera with it attached because you can just concentrate on the composition. I did notice I was getting a few sideways glances from other people so this might put some people off. One downside is the magnified view does reveal that the monitor’s resolution isn’t great – this is not just the dp0’s because I tried the finder (just holding it in place) on other monitors too. It means checking critical focus, even with the x8 magnifying function, takes a little extra time and the focusing distance scale along the bottom of the finder image helps too. Picture performance

ISO 800

ISO 1600

ISO 3200

ISO 6400

Features It’s a bulky fixed lens camera but appeals because it’s unusual Performance Excellent image quality up to ISO 400. Exposure and AF good Handling With or without the finder, the dp0 is different but it works well Value for money Expensive for a fixed lens camera Overall The dp Quattro series offers an interesting alternative so worth a look Pros Image quality at low ISO settings, lens sharpness Cons Bulky, poor high ISO performance, limited Raw support 19/25 20/25 20/25 19/25 78/100 How it rates too. In a world where cameras are anodyne and very much ‘me too’, the dp0 has character and personality. Importantly it produces high-quality, lifelike images, notably at the lower ISO setting thanks to the Foveon sensor and the impressive 14mm lens. Verdict If you want a fast-handling, quick shooting, high capacity, pocketable large- sensor compact, the Sigma dp0 is not for you. It’s bulky, comparatively slow and the battery capacity is modest. But it’s not all doom and gloom because there is a great deal to enjoy

Leaving aside the question of the sensor technology, there’s no doubt that the Foveon X3 Quattro sensor can deliver fine-quality, accurate colour pictures. My straight-out-of-camera JPEGs, in standard colour mode, look very lifelike and natural. I did shoot some side-by-sideshotswiththePanasonic Lumix GX8 and the Fujifilm X-T1,

and both of those cameras seemed to give slightly more punchy results, again using the standard colour modes. Sigma dp0 Raws were quite similar to the JPEG files when they were first opened in Sigma’s PhotoPro6 software, but there is definitelyplenty of potential to tweak files if needed.