Sigma DP1s 14MP Sensor Digital Camera

by Sigma

Product Details

• Item Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B002RARGOO
• Item model number: C7s900
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,405 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Sigma DP1s is an improved version of the Sigma DP1s, and both cameras contain a the same processor, 14-megapixel FOVEON X3 direct image sensor and lens with a focal length of 16.6mm F4 (35mm equivalent focal length is 28mm). The new Sigma DP1s features enhancements to its user interface that mimic that of the DP2 and will provide photographers with improved user capabilities. The DP1s also offers enhanced performance when shooting backlit subjects to further enrich the images it captures with superb resolution and richly graduated tones with a life-like, three-dimensional feel. The DP1s is the latest addition to Sigma's DP line of high-definition, compact digital cameras.

Sigma DP1s Highlights

SLR-sized image sensor
The size of the image sensor used in the DP1s camera is 20.7mm x 13.8mm. It is approximately seven to twelve times larger than the 1/1.8inch to 1/2.5inch image sensors used in ordinary compact digital cameras. The pixel size of the image sensor is 7.8µm. The large photodiodes deployed at a large pixel pitch capture pure, rich light efficiently and give the DP1s its high resolution and richly-graduated tones.

Full-color image sensor
The DP1s uses the same 14 megapixel (2652×1768×3 layers)direct image sensor as the SD14. Utilizing the special features of silicon, which is penetrated to different depths by different wavelengths of light, this direct image sensor succeeds in full-color capture with the full RGB in a single-pixel location. Just like film, each photodiode captures all the RGB data, so no final-stage demosaicing is required.

"TRUE" image processing engine
The DP1s incorporates "TRUE" (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine), the world’s first image processing engine suited for Foveon three silicon embedded layer direct image sensor. The unique image-processing algorithm, which has been developed throughout the development of the SD9, SD10 and SD14 cameras, is incorporated into "TRUE". It enables high-speed image processing and high image quality.

16mm F4 lens
The DP1s is equipped with a 16.6mm F4 lens, equivalent to 28mm on a 35mm SLR camera, which has been designed exclusively for DP1s. The large-diameter of aspherical glass provides low distortion and high contrast images. It also offers superior peripheral brightness. The super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. It allows photographers to take pictures in difficult light conditions. This lens and SLR-sized image sensor provides natural shallow depth-of-field.

RAW format recording
The DP1s includes JPEG recording format for convenience plus a RAW data (X3F) recording mode for retaining full image capture detail of the utmost quality. The RAW data format provides pure data for high-resolution images, and uses lossless compression for more compact, yet uncompromised, data files. The RAW data format of the DP1s keeps brightness and color data in a 1:1 ratio without relying on interpolation. Each pixel location captures the full color of RGB data, so in RAW, X3F files, brightness and color data can be kept in a 1:1 ratio without relying on interpolation. When the image is processed in Sigma Photo Pro, it will preserve the balance of the natural data for the best photos with the best image quality.

Included Sigma Photo Pro Software
The DP1s comes complete with SIGMA Photo Pro software, a RAW image developer that converts all RAW data quickly and easily. Adjustments can be made in three separate modes. The X3F Mode stores the original settings of the image at the point of capture. In the Auto Adjustment Mode, the software analyzes and automatically makes adjustments to the RAW data. The Custom Mode allows the photographer to make individual adjustments (exposure, contrast, shadow, highlight, saturation, sharpness and fill-light for example). The photographer can make changes easily and quickly by simply adjusting the slider controls within the software. The X3F Mode stores the original settings of the image at point of capture. Photographers` personal modifications can be saved to the RAW, X3F file for future use. SIGMA Photo Pro supports 8-bit TIFF, 16-bit TIFF, and JPEG file formats. The JPEG can be saved as YCbCr 4:4:4. It is also possible to half, or double the resolution when processing the image.

Compact and lightweight body
The DP1s has compact dimensions of 113.3mm/4.5in. (W) x 59.5mm/2.3in. (H) x 50.3mm/2.0in. (D) and weighs just 240g/8.5ounces. Its compact body and lightweight design makes it easy to carry everywhere.

Three metering modes and five exposure modes
The DP1s has three metering modes, Evaluative Metering, Center Weighted Average Metering and Spot Metering. It is also possible to select the exposure mode from Auto, Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE or Manual. Exposure compensation can be set in 1/3 stop increments from +3.0 to -3.0 stops and an auto bracketing function is also available.

Pop-up (manual) built-in flash
The DP1s is equipped with a pop up (manual) built-in flash featuring guide number of 6 (ISO100 / m). It is possible to use Normal Flash, Red-Eye Reduction Flash and Slow Synchro Mode. It also features flash exposure compensation in 1/3 stops increments.

AF area selection
The AF area of the DP1s is equipped with 9 focusing points and it is possible to manually select the desired focusing point. The focusing distance is from 50cm to infinity, however, it is possible to shorten the minimum focusing distance to 30cm.


Manual focus
Manual Focus is available for photographers who like to take more control, or for use when autofocus or focus lock is not effective. It is also possible to magnify the display to ensure precise focusing.

Recording movies
It is possible to record 30fps movies with QVGA (320 x 240). The digital zoom function can be used during movie shooting. A 1GB memory card (not supplied) allows approximately 30 minutes of movie recording.

Large 2.5-inch TFT color monitor
The DP1s camera features large 2.5 inch, 230,000 pixel TFT color LCD monitor. The LCD monitor displays 100% of the images, allowing the photographer to easily and accurately confirm the image compensation.

Hot Shoe
The DP1s camera is equipped with a hot shoe, allowing use of the dedicated external flashgun EF-140 DG (optional) or high performance view finder VF-11 (optional). EF-500 DG and EF-530 DG flashgun series can be used in manual mode only.

Product Description

The Sigma DP1s is an improved version of the Sigma DP1, and both cameras contain a the same processor, 14-megapixel FOVEON X3 direct image sensor and lens with a focal length of 16.6mm F4 (35mm equivalent focal length is 28mm). The new Sigma DP1s features enhancements to its user interface that mimic that of the DP2 and will provide photographers with improved user capabilities. The DP1s also offers enhanced performance when shooting backlit subjects to further enrich the images itcaptures with superb resolution and richly graduated tones with a life-like, three-dimensional feel. The DP1s is the latest addition to Sigma's DP line of high-definition, compact digital cameras

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sigma DP1s, July 29, 2010

By 

FMark - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma DP1s 14MP Sensor Digital Camera (Electronics)

I guess you probably read the technical reviews and now are wondering what insanity would compel you to buy a DP1? If you're reading this review, you're seduced by the idea of great photos from a small package. Period.
If you like sharp, stunning results and come from the learn-the-camera school, you'll forget how much you paid for it long before you forget the joyous photographs you took with it. It's slow all right, but to me it's just part of the way the camera handles. I can handle that.
I researched cameras for weeks before I settled for a DP1s via Amazon for an amazingly reasonable price. I read many reviews panning the camera. My favorite critique was "on-off button in a bad place". Geez. If Sigma put it where this reviewer wanted it, someone else wouldn't like that location, either.
The bottom line is this: If a camera is capable of producing stunning photographs (which it does), then buy it and LEARN TO USE IT. I love my Nikon D80 and lenses, but I don't always want to carry it with me. I've had two small Canon point-n-shoots and they were tough and reliable, but the small size consistently gave me distorted, average grade photos. It disappointed me greatly when I compared them to the Nikon's quality.
So I searched for the holy grail of gear: a smallish camera with a sharp edge-to-edge lense and big pixel resolution. I think I've found it.
I purchased the optional lense barrel and hood including a Hoya UV filter. The lense barrel actually makes it easier to handle. And best of all, no one pays any attention to me because I put that little Sigma around my neck with the OEM strap and I blend in with the crowd. Folks stiffen up when you poke around with your big DSLR with pro-sized glass; however, few know that I'm packing DSLR resolution in the little camera.
I heartily recommend it to the serious photographer who wants a powerful and small package.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Unusual Camera That Takes Unusually Good Photos, August 8, 2010

By 

C. Canfield (san francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma DP1s 14MP Sensor Digital Camera (Electronics)

I have had this camera for only a few days, but I'd like to give my initial impressions.

I am absolutely blown away by the image quality of this little camera. The photos that come out of here are just stunning. The images have an almost otherworldly psychedelic color; extraordinary crispness and clarity; and deep, almost 3-dimensional layering. Go to the Sigma website or to flickr and you will see exactly what I'm writing about.

The simplicity of the camera's interface is refreshing. There are few exotic features to learn about and then not use. The camera is super-simple to operate, and with a rudimentary knowledge of the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and depth of field, it's quite simple to use the camera in manual mode.

The construction is atypical of a contemporary camera in that it has a solid heavy feel. The body is aluminium, not plastic. It feels like a little tank. I love the minimalist aesthetic.

This camera has many idiosyncrasies, quirks, and design flaws:

Because the LCD on the DP1/1s/2 is so small and of such poor quality, you get no sense of how good the photos are until they are loaded into the computer. This may bother some people who want to know before-hand if they've truly captured the shot with correct focus, etc. I find this quality oddly endearing because it means that I have to wait to experience the photos. It is a bit like dropping off the roll of film and having to wait for the prints to come back.

The DP1s is slow. Every review will mention that. Quite true. Slow as molasses. It is slow to focus, slow to take the photo and very very slow to write to the data card. JPEG takes a few seconds to write, RAW takes much longer. I ordered a Speed Class 10 SDHC to see if it would speed things up a bit. Using my ipod touch stopwatch, I recorded the time required to take the photo and write to two different cards. I pre-focused each image and used the same shot and lighting for each test. There was no appreciable difference between JPEG fine, norm, and basic write times.

1) Kingston SD 2GB - RAW 13 sec., Fine JPEG 5 sec.
2) Transcend SDHC Speed Class 10 16GB - RAW 11 sec., Fine JPEG 5 sec.

As mentioned above, to improve speed performance it is best to focus in advance or use manual focus. So far, I've found the manual focus to be difficult to accomplish accurately and quickly using the manual control. Spot focusing in advance has proven to work quite well. I am able to stop live action moving subjects using this method with no problem.

The battery discharges somewhat quickly, so some strategy may be needed to overcome this problem. Some reviewers have suggested turning off the lcd and using the viewfinder available here on Amazon for nearly $150. Don't waste your money. The external viewfinder is an infuriating piece of junk. It's overpriced, it has huge parallax error, it's too small, and it still requires that you focus using the lcd or that you focus by estimating the distance to subject and setting the numerical value on the thumb scroll. A better strategy is to buy an extra battery or two which are only around $30 each. For the same price as the viewfinder you could buy five batteries. Another strategy to save battery life is to not use auto focus. Again, the low quality lcd makes this difficult. Once again, spare batteries are a better bet.

The lens is a bit wide for most versatility. It is easily compensated by the high quality image, making cropping (without too much degradation of image) easy once the photos are in the computer. The DP2's narrower lens is probably a better bet for amateurs if you can afford it. The price of the DP1s is so ridiculously low right now, it was hard to justify spending so much more for the DP2.

I'm an amateur, so I don't have any real need or desire to shoot in RAW. I have been recording in JPEG and using iPhoto with outstanding results. I've experimented with shooting in RAW on this camera, but it makes the camera quite slow, processing the images on the computer is more involved, and I have to use Sigma's software to process the images rather than (more amateur-friendly) iPhoto. I only mention this so that other amateurs who do not use RAW will know that it is not essential. I still get shockingly good photos out of this camera using JPEG/iPhoto.

How many cameras would have a such a cult following with these glitches and design flaws? The willingness of professional and amateur photographers to work around these problems is testament to the extraordinary quality of the images. I am seriously blown away every time I load up images. I can't stop taking pictures with this camera. At the current price of less than $300, this dynamite little gadget is a steal. If the DP2 would drop to the same price, I would get one of those too.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Minor update to the DP1 14MP camera, October 13, 2009

By 

Michael A. Duvernois (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma DP1s 14MP Sensor Digital Camera (Electronics)

According to Sigma, there are three main upgrades for the DP1s over the DP1, and they are the quickset function assigned to the digital zoom controls, RAW+JPEG writing, and an improvement to the metering for backlit subjects. The quickset is seen on the Sigma DP2 and Sigma SD14 cameras and it is a very nice shorthand. It speeds and improves common settings for my use. I couldn't evaluate the difference in backlit performance, but will trust Sigma on that one. Simultaneously writing RAW and JPEG files can be a great help to those who want the quick jpeg preview but edit the RAW files (in Aperture for example). Not sure how many people have been clamoring for that, but it is a feature.

Recommendations: Get the DP1s if you are looking at it as a new camera. If you have a DP1, don't feel badly, these updates are useful but not huge. It appears that the DP1s will be the DP1 replacement, so there might be a good price on a DP1 at some point soon... (Oh, and there's a firmware update for the original DP1, you should get it if you have one.)