The SD14 is here and now. But let's get really wild and forget for a
moment what the pundits claim about Sigma's non-future. What about if
they were to make a new camera, one not yet discussed by the noted
Evansville, Indiana, salesman and the janitor at the Sear's Tower?
What if they decided to clean up the SD14 act? What should Sigma do?
Specifically, should they do anything about:
- faster processing
- high ISO noise reduction
- in-camera anti-shake
- bigger buffer
- faster memory
- stronger battery
- sealed (water and dust) body
- auto focus
- white balance
- shutter
- metal body
- faster frame rate
- the LCD
- anything else
I don't feel it is unreasonable to expect virtually ALL of these
features to at least match the then current competition, when released.
I also don't feel it unreasonable to expect at least SOME of the
above features to surpass the then current competition.
It is usual for newer cameras to "leapfrog" each other in MPX and offering
new-features, and speed, (ISO, AF, frame-rate, buffer, processing
time, etc).
By new-features, I mean things like Live-view, multiple-exposure,
in-camera stabilization, dust-cleaning, selectable DR, etc. All of
these started as a "new-feature" on ONE camera ... (as a "leap-frog")
... and then became, (or is becoming), adopted by everyone else.
When the SD14 came out, even the MPX increase was not as big a jump
as expected. It is still argued by many that it did not even match
the 10mpx competition. So it could be argued that it did NOT even
match the existing competition at the time it was released, let alone
the FUTURE. (For better or worse, the rumor is Sony, Pentax/Samsung are soon -PMA- releasing 14mpx, at a price probably lower than SD-14.)
Is the IQ better ... some say yes ... but unfortunately there are
many "reviews" that say no. I assure you ..... I BELIEVE in the
Foveon technology .... but WISH the IQ was indeed so much better,
THERE WOULD BE NO "QUESTION" by independent reviewers.
Right now it is very difficult to "recommend" the camera to anyone;
(but I have recommended it for SPECIFIC uses).
I at one time felt it was the best "value" for the money .... but I
can't even say that anymore.
In short, I am surprised that Sigma is selling any cameras at all.
The reviews are not good enough, and the "features" are getting more,
and more, non-competitive every day.
I am afraid it will be another 2 years before a SD14 replacement is
announced; (and add another 1 or 2 years before "shipping" if
history is followed).
It may sound strange to newbies, but Sigma really do seem to listen
to what is said and read this forum on occasion. Why not give them
our collective shopping list?
So pick a topic or two, tell them what you would like changed and
why, come up with new ideas and have some fun dreaming. Keep it
within reason and what makes real sense. Who knows? What you wish for
may come true.
This in the spirit of the current primary adage: "Yes we can!"
--
Laurence
My idea of good company is the fellowship of clever, well-informed
people, who have a great deal of conversation and liberality of ideas.
Jane Austen
http://www.pbase.com/lmatson/root
http://www.pbase.com/sigmadslr/root
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/sd10
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/sd9
--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto
( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )
).
