Sigma SD1 Pro Reviews

The Sigma SD1 Merrill is a contradiction. It's a well-constructed DSLR with good ergonomics, a useful quick-set menu and great image quality thanks to its use of Foveon technology. However the camera's performance is hampered by auto focus problems in low light and all-too-frequent writing to the memory card that causes the camera to freeze until the writing is completed. Further, the camera lacks several features that other mid-range DSLRs have such as a video mode, live view and an LCD on the camera's top plate. In addition, the camera's battery life is rather short compared to the competition. Overall it's hard to recommend this camera wholeheartedly, especially at its premium price. For some, its superb image quality will be reason enough to buy it. However, its performance issues and absence of some popular features will cause others to look elsewhere.

If you're a studio photographer looking for mind bogglingly big files from a DSLR, you want a decent build, good colour performance, and you're not tied to a brand, then take a hard look at the Sigma SD1 Merrill. The pictures are very good after all and ultimately that's what's important, especially now that it won't (almost literally) break the bank.

In terms of specification, the Sigma SD1 Merrill might lack the finery of other cameras at this price point, but its stripped back set of controls is refreshing. Its limitations do mean that this isn't a camera we can recommend as an all-rounder, though. If you're after a DSLR that offers high resolution, high speed and high-spec features, look at the Canon 5D Mark III or Sony Alpha A77 instead. This way, you'll also be able to use Sigma lenses without being restricted to a camera that just has a Sigma mount. Both delightfully simple and deeply frustrating, the Sigma SD1 Merrill is the Jeckyll and Hyde of DSLRs. For photography in good light at low ISOs it's absolutely terrific. For everything else, it's just OK.

So what’s the final word? Is the Sigma SD1 worth the premium price tag it carries and the attention of professional and enthusiast photographers? There is actually no definitive answer to these questions. For landscape and studio photographers the SD1 will be an outstanding, unique camera worth every single penny. But for most other photographers the numerous limitations of this camera will outnumber the advantages of the Foveon sensor and the superior image quality it delivers at low ISO. At best the SD1 will be a sought-after niche product but for all its weakness I truly believe it could be a great investment for the right photographer and I commend Sigma for trying walking a different path.

The Sigma SD1 Merrill is built around the uniquely designed image sensor, but a high price, sluggish performance and a time-intensive Raw workflow make it a difficult sell to all but the most devoted Foveon disciples.

The SD1 is, overall, quite straightforward to summarize - it's a camera that offers exceptional low ISO image quality in a competently-performing but quirky body. Its 15x3 MP Foveon sensor is capable of delivering wonderfully-detailed images, with a subtlety of colour rendition that has to be seen to be appreciated. But this is offset by painfully slow file write times during which the camera behaves erratically, distinctly sub-par image quality at ISOs over 800, and a no-frills camera body that doesn't even offer live view for tripod work. An all-rounder it is not. To get the most out of the SD1, you also need to shoot Raw, but at the moment (and, as far as we can tell, for the foreseeable future) this locks you into using Sigma Photo Pro to process your images. Mainstream third-party converters from the likes of Adobe don't support the SD1. Like the camera itself, Sigma Photo Pro is slow, quirky and exasperating, but capable of excellent results if, I repeat if, you have the time and patience to get the most from it.

The Sigma SD1 is capable of taking some gorgeous photos with excellent detail at the pixel level, however to get the best from the camera it is necessary to take everything as RAW and process the files. While you can shoot JPEG images, due to the camera's poor in-camera image processing the results are greatly disappointing in comparison and do not do the camera any justice. For nearly £2300(tbc) / £5000 you would want to know you are getting the ultimate camera ... the Sigma SD1 promises "the ultimate image quality"... and if you shoot RAW and master processing the images with Sigma Photo Pro and possibly another editing package, then the camera is capable of creating some great looking photos which are especially impressive for fine detail and textures. The 15.6/46 megapixel images can quite easily match the images from Bayer sensor cameras such as the 24.3 megapixel APS-C Sony Alpha A77. We used the Sony Alpha A77, with 12fps shooting, Full HD video and numerous other features and options that the SD1 simply doesn't have and the speed difference and ease of use of the Sony (all with great JPEG output straight from the camera) was clearly noticeable.

If you're a studio photographer looking for mind bogglingly big files from a DSLR, you want a decent build, good colour performance, you're not tied to a brand and you have a lot of money to spend then take a look at the Sigma SD1. The pictures are very good after all and ultimately that's what's important.