Announced last September during the Photokina 2010 trade show, the new Sigma DSLR SD1 is now becoming true : il will be available in a few weeks, in June. It will offer the X3 triple layer sensor developped by Foveon, a company taken over by Sigma a few years ago. It counts on a stunning detail level to compete as its pricetag is set at a high $ 9,700 in the US and £6,199 in the UK.


The Sigma SD1 frame is made of magnesium, which ensures both lightweight and durability to the SLR. Weatherproof thanks to a sealing reinforced body, the SD1 will be able to be used in hostile environments. The 46 megapixels sensor signal will be treated by the latest TRUE II processor that will also help the SD1 to reach 5 fps in burst mode, a rather modest performance for a camera of that price which is not the only area where the Sigma SD1 seems to be undergifted... a basic 11-points autofocus system, a 460 000 dots screen or a 98% only viewfinder are among the technical specs of a rather amateur camera, yet, priced at a professional level of money you'd expect to spend on a more advanced SLR. But Sigma totaly counts on its new sensor to push the SD1 sales.


The SD1 will be available in June 2011.




What should make the Sigma SD1 so special and worth its price is its unique sensor technology. Developped by Foveon, a company later bought by Sigma, X3 sensor technology is a triple layer design where each color (RGB) has its own 15 megapixel layer to, once combined, form a colored image of 15 megapixels, when a total of 45 megapixels are needed (15 megapixels per layer). The main benefits of this technology is that the sensor sees the image in color and not only in levels of grey like all other sensors on the market do. This means that you can kiss the Bayer matrix good bye and get rid of moiré effect as well as the blur applied on conventional sensors to reduced these artefacts. This should result in a highly detailed image, top level color fidelity and most subtile nuances.




But this 46 megapixels APS-C sensor also raises questions about its sensibility...
We hope to get a Sigma SD1 sample soon in order to see how the Foveon X3 sensor behaves in our review.
In the meantime, you may want to check the SD1's minisite in which you can download images shot with the camera.


Sigma Imaging is pleased to announce that the suggested retail price of the new SD1 flagship digital SLR is £6,199.99 including VAT (£5,166.66 excluding VAT). This new camera, offering unrivalled image quality amongst digital SLRs, will be available in the UK this June.

The SIGMA SD1 is Sigma's flagship digital SLR model, adopting a lightweight yet solid magnesium alloy for its body and O-ring sealing connections to make Sigma's splash proof design throughout for use inharsh conditions.



The SIGMA SD1 incorporates a 23.5 x 15.7mm APS-C X3 direct image sensor and dual "TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II" image processing engines. The combination of the 46 megapixel (4,800 x 3,200 x 3 layers) sensor and dual TRUE II processing engines ensure the high resolution images are processed quickly with high definition and a smooth and subtle graduation of colour.

• 46 megapixel 24 x 16mm APS-C sensor 
• Lightweight yet solid magnesium alloy body 
• Weather-resistant O-ring sealing connections 
• Dual "TRUE II" image processing engines 
• 11 Point Twin Cross AF Sensor

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