Sigma DP1 Quattro: Is the lens up to the task?

Sigma UK published some sample pictures taken with the Sigma DP1 Quattro on Twitter. Direct link here going directly to photographer's website.

While these samples seem to be a lot cleaner than what we had previously seen, I still can't help but think that the borders are fairly soft (even at f8 and f11). This wasn't that apparent to me with previous DP1s. After hearing that Sigma actually changed/"improved" the lens design for the DP1 Quattro, I was expecting to see better. I am not saying that I expect DP2Q quality, but I think the 18-35mm A zoom would take sharper pictures. What's your opinion on this?

I agree that the 18-35mm Art lens would make better images than the 19mm lens on the DP1 Quattro, and if you think that's sad, I agree.

I think Sigma should have improved that lens more than they did. Frankly I can barely tell a difference between the DP1 Merrill and DP1 Quattro lenses from the photos I've studied.

It looks like the DP0 Quattro is going to produce better image quality than the DP1 Quattro. If that is indeed the case, at least they will have done that.

At some point I might end up with the DP0 Quattro, a Quattro DSLR with the 18-35mm f1.8 A, and the DP3 Quattro. To that I could add the 70mm f2.8 macro, the 105mm f2.8 macro, and a 120-300mm f2.8 OS S.

Hardy Steiner wrote:

Sigma UK published some sample pictures taken with the Sigma DP1 Quattro on Twitter. Direct link here going directly to photographer's website.

While these samples seem to be a lot cleaner than what we had previously seen, I still can't help but think that the borders are fairly soft (even at f8 and f11). This wasn't that apparent to me with previous DP1s.

The DP1s was sharp across the frame, but with the DP1M and DP1Q, there can be some edge softening.  It's a pretty large resolution jump between those models.

After hearing that Sigma actually changed/"improved" the lens design for the DP1 Quattro, I was expecting to see better.

I think it's improved, in the sense that you see about the same results as the DP1M - but the DP1Q has more resolution.  It probably is a better lens, it just keeps up with the sensor instead of surpassing it.  The DP1Q also has somewhat better CA handling (though there can still be CA at times).

I still think that the DP1M/Q lenses are better than most wide angle lenses for other cameras.

I am not saying that I expect DP2Q quality, but I think the 18-35mm A zoom would take sharper pictures. What's your opinion on this?

I think it would be a bit better but don't forget it's quite a lot larger.  The lens itself weighs probably 2x what a DP1Q does!  I have the 18-35 but most of my wide photos are with the DP0Q because it's so much easier to carry, both in terms of bulk and weight.

I think the DP0Q will be better in terms of image quality because they are not constraining themselves to the smaller size of the DP1Q lens form-factor.  Im guessing that was the tradeoff for the DP1Q - they wanted a camera about the same size as the DP2Q, and the DP1Q does produce really good results - just not perfect.  I don't think the DP0Q will be perfect either, but I'm hoping it's noticeably improved over the DP1Q.

Scottelly wrote:

At some point I might end up with . . .  a Quattro DSLR  . . .

I like the way that just crept in there, Scott 

Fifty bucks says you will not