Sigma DP1 review

First let's get one thing straight: this is definitely not a camera for everyone; if you want a camera to take snapshot of your holidays you should probably look to something else, same if you are not confident (or don't want to spend the time) in processing raw files, or if you can't live without a zoom.

On top of that, you will have to put up with more quirks than features, the menu system is unintiutive, the lens cap is just horrible; it has a very wide angle lens, but no electronic level to help in keeping the horizon straight; unlike other super cheap digital compacts is not even able to display the pictures with the right orientation on screen.

But if you are prepared to put up with its quirks, you will be rewarded with the best Image Quality available in a digital compact by far. Forget anything else, this camera gives you an image quality comparable to a DSLR, but in your pocket. Nothing compares to it.

f4 may seem too slow to someone, well, if that is a deal breaker your only option is a DSLR with a fast lens, try to put that one in your pocket! The lens is as fast as it can be given the size of the package.

Pros: Image quality, size, superb lens, very good RAW converter, low distortion, minimal vignetting even at f4.

Cons: Slow autofocus (but good manual focus wheel), no buffer for RAW, terrible menu system, drains batteries even when switched off, many third party raw converters are not compatible with its raw files.

Despite the very high price tag, if Image quality is important to you, I'd say this camera provides good value for money, even if some of the choices made by the Sigma engineers are quite irritating.