Sigma DP1x review

It’s not possible to save both RAW and JPEG files at the same time, and we suspect that’s because the two formats offer different ISO speed ranges. Shooting JPEGs allows for ISO speeds from 50 to 800, but selecting RAW mode enables ISO 1600 and 3200 options. We’ll put this down to the ineffective noise reduction that’s applied to JPEGs. ISO 200 shots displayed some graininess in darker areas, and by ISO 800, noise was quite pronounced – as you can see below (click image to enlarge).

Developing RAW images in the supplied Sigma Photo Pro software gave vastly better results, turning in excellent images at ISO 800. We were able to recover blown out highlights, although rescuing shadows at ISO 800 was less successful. We also noticed inconsistencies to colours at different ISO speeds. At ISO 1600, applying maximum noise reduction failed to supress grainy shadows and wide bands of discoloration, while colours at ISO 3200 were irrecoverably pasty.

We found Sigma’s software to be lethargic and unwieldy, which made converting lots of photos a laborious process. Sadly, the DP1x’s RAW format appears not to be compatible with Picasa 3.8, and we experienced some colour errors when using Adobe Camera Raw 6.3, the RAW-conversion engine for Photoshop Elements and Lightroom.

We also had some issues with the DP1x’s choice of automatic settings. The Auto ISO option seemed incapable of venturing beyond ISO 200, making manual ISO speeds essential in anything but bright light. The evaluative metering mode behaved more like a centre-weighted average, over-exposing large areas of the frame as long as the centre wasn’t too bright. The automatic white balance sometimes struggled with direct sunlight, giving photos a yellow cast, see below (click image to enlarge).

We’re not entirely convinced by the DP1x’s lens, either. While most rival cameras use interchangeable lenses, this one is fixed, so it’s essential that it delivers the goods. We can’t fault its sharpness, with breathtaking details packed right into the corners of frames and no hint of chromatic aberrations. However, the f/4 maximum aperture captures half as much light as the f/2.8 pancake lens that accompanies the NEX-5. This diminishes the shallow depth of field that is part of a large-sensor camera’s charm. With no optical stabilisation, it also makes low-light photography tricky.

The 28mm wide-angle view may prove frustrating too, as people more than a couple of metres away get lost in the frame. There’s always the option to crop photos on a PC to simulate longer focal lengths, but the 4.6-megapixel resolution means it’s unwise to crop too heavily. Photos are incredibly sharp and detailed on a per-pixel level, but they’re not as detailed as the 14.6-megapixel NEX-5’s shots.

With such a long list of criticisms, it may come as a surprise that we quite like the DP1x. There’s something about its simplicity and no-nonsense approach that commands respect, and its photos generally look gorgeous, despite their flaws. However, it seems that Sigma’s bold move to launch the original DP1 has come back to haunt it. Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and Samsung are now vying for the same space, and these companies’ greater experience – and we suspect, much larger R&D budgets – mean that Sigma is struggling to keep up. We’d love to reward the DP1x points for effort, but in the face of such capable rivals, it’s simply not worth the steep price.