Sigma SD10 review

After using the SD10 during a month I decided to rate the camera. This is just an amazing tool. The Foveon technology works just fine. It is more than 3 years now since the SD9 - the first camera with the Foveon sensor - was produced and we have clear evidence now that this new technology has a bright future. This sensor has huge 9.2x9.2 micron pixels (Kodak Pro full frame cameras have 7.9x7.9 ones) and this explains its high dynamic range.

The SD10 is big but fits very well in my arms. The operation is simple and menu is very well organized.

The camera is capable in taking excellent (!!!) photos. One just needs to put a good lense. This becomes crucial with the SD10. The kit glass is not bad but it won’t allow you getting the best of what the camera is capable of. The best solution I think is buying an M42 adaptor and use really cheap old lenses of M42 standard.

Another thing about the SD10 that surprised me is that after getting a 3.4 MP image and correcting it in Sigma’s software one might want to save it double sized. That will give a 13.6 MP image. I think anyone knows how much a 14 MP camera costs. When I first saw interpolated image in Normal viewing 1:1 mode I could not believe my own eyes. It was full of details, sharp enough, without artifacts (but don’t forget about using a good lense while shooting). This is an output one could expect, as the images from the Foveon sensor need no interpolations to be made while on board processed. Absence of an AA filter (contrary to all Bayer sensor cameras except Kodak Pros) makes images sharp. This is another advantage. Obviously, certain individuals could hate the photos the Foveon takes since every defect of skin is visible. Every single one! J

One limitation I have to notice though is that the Foveon sensor likes light. Low light photos could have serious issues. But it is worth mentioning that I saw on web excellent night photos taken with the SD10. One has to be quite skillful and experienced while using this camera.

Also, due to the fact that the camera’s output is only RAW files (there is no on board JPEG/TIFF converter) the users are obliged to process every single image on PC. The Sigma’s software is easy to use and the best RAW converter ever. But how to use properly Photoshop is another challenge.

If you can buy a SD10, just buy one along with high quality optics. The camera is really not expensive now, especially in Europe. Cheaper than 6-8 MP DSLRs. I hope, we will see a new version soon from Sigma with new larger Foveon sensor.

Problems:

Would like to have more features on this camera