Sigma SD9 review

This camera seems to catch a lot of criticism because it does things differently from the Canon/Nikon crowd. But being different is not the same as being inferior.

The menu system is simple, clear and logical, as are the camera controls - something you certainly can't sat about the majority of the cameras in this range.

The picture quality speaks for itself - superb! Far better than it's 3.4 MP rating would suggest, the color depth and detail are more inline with 6 or 8 megapixel models.

The amount of image control afforded by the camera itself - and compounded by the manipulation and fine tuning possible with the supplied software is fantastic. I've read that some people have deep criticisms for the SPP program, to them I say; try reading the manual. this is a simple powerful program that is well worth investing some time into.

Problems:

I've had no mechanical problems with the camera whatsoever. It worked perfectly our of the box, and continues to do so. It still has no dust on the sensor after 2300 pictures.

This camera is somewhat demanding in so much as you need to learn how to work with (and take advantage) of its 'personality.' This is not a point and shoot, so people coming from that perspective looking for a cheap Dslr that will be as easy to use as their last camera will be met with some frustration. On the other hand, a person migrating from a film slr will find the transition smooth and rewarding.

Some consider it a fault that the post processing of each image is done in the PC rather than in the camera, but in a lot of ways this is an attribute. I would be shooting in Raw mode even if this camera did offer JPEG options - and the extra control offered by doing the translation after the fact on your computer monitor is a tremendous advantage.