We Got it First: Our Hands On Impressions of the Sigma SD14

Click here to launch a gallery of image quality shots taken with the Sigma SD14

We were starting to feel like we were waiting for Godot, but we (finally!) got a hold of a full production model Sigma SD14, the DSLR using the newly upgraded Foveon X3 chip that records red, green, and blue on three separate stacked layers in its image sensor.

We’re running it through the standard battery of tests—resolution, color accuracy, noise, as you read this. In the meantime here are some first impressions of the camera, and of course a gallery of image quality shots we've taken with it, so you can see what it can do.

This is a solidly built camera, on a par with cameras in the Canon EOS 30D class. Our roving camera tester Jack Howard commented, “the design is chunky, and satisfyingly large. This is an unabashed DSLR that won’t get confused for an oversized EVF camera. Hard edges have a classic feel that bucks the current trend toward graceful sweeping lines and curves.” In other words, a little tank.

The most obvious improvements come in file capture, viewing, autofocusing, and battery power. The new model can capture JPEGs as well as RAW files, unlike its predecessor the SD10, which was limited to RAW capture. (No simultaneous RAW + JPEG capture though, which is puzzling.)

The viewfinder is now what-you-see-is-what-you-get, rather than the SD10’s odd screen showing the picture area in a smallish central frame surrounded by a gray surround. Autofocusing is vastly improved over the SD10’s aim-and-hope single sensor. The five-point array snaps onto detail smartly, and there is virtually no shutter lag when you press the button. SNAP. And then you watch the processing lamp blink. . . and blink. . . and blink.

While the speed of capture on the SD14 is vastly improved over the SD10, it's not going to set any records. You can continue snapping at will until the buffer fills up, which happens around frame 6, the burst limit. “A 6-shot burst is well below average for modern DSLRs,” Jack Howard says. “This is not a sports camera by any means.”

But speed isn’t everything. We found our initial field shots to have very pleasing color—highly accurate, but still with a good dollop of saturation. You might even describe the colors sometimes as translucent. The resolution, as gauged by the Eyeball Method, appears to be about that of a 9MP sensor, which is what we were expecting. Noise control appears to be quite good; available light shots at ISO 800 showed virtually no grain or mottling.

Battery power also leaps into the modern era. The SD14 uses a lithium-ion rechargeable slug similar to the Sony type that powers the Sony Alpha 100, the Pentax K10D, and others.

The camera is easy to figure out—most of the controls are self-explanatory. We particularly like that Sigma kept the finder simple—it shows you the exposure, a focusing dot, and exposure compensation in nice big numbers, without a zillion other little icons or readouts.

Neat tricks: The three-color histogram plays back with all three colors graphed simultaneously on the display. And Jack discovered that the IR-cutoff filter pops out easily, which will allow for infrared photography on the fly. (Jack promises to bring in his IR filters and try the SD14 out for some IR shooting.)

Overall, the SD14 is a huge upgrade for the Sigma/Foveon system. Stay tuned for lab test results.
—Dan Richards

Comments

[Robert J Johnson]

anxious to try one out.
also the pentax K10D

[Robert J Johnson]

enjoyed the brief write-up.
anxious to try one out.

[Christopher Dack]

Sorry to hear that they got rid of the (horribly-named but still terrific) Sport Finder. It made the SD9 and SD10 more rangefinder-like, being able to see outside the frame lines.

Too bad that Sigma succumbed to peer pressure and made the viewfinder just like every other dSLR, meaning crappy. I HATE not being able to see outside my photo's borders -- it makes composing pics like navigating a maze with blinders on.

Otherwise, looking forward to more info on the SD14. Now if Sigma would just wise up and realize that they could actually sell these if they changed the lens-mount to something non-proprietary (4/3 would be my vote)...

[Francois Goupil]

I'd be curious to see how this new Sigma fares in terms of human skin color rendition. I find that both the SD9 and SD10 produce great landscape pictures but tend to make people look sick by giving an odd green tint to their skin.

[Marcus Martinez]

Having trouble, shooting with this unit during studio flash photography. Not sure why this SD14 will not shot for me and I never had any problems with the SD10 or SD9. This is really becoming a sure pain.
My flash meter takes readings that are correct, and work on there prev. models, but on this camera even after recieving it back from sigma's warrenty shop I still am having problems shotting with apps other then the lens largest ? ? ? I'll read the manual again. . .

Marcus
MGI Studio
Dallas, Tex