The
Sigma DP3 Merrill features a 50mm f/2.8 lens and a ‘46-million-pixel’ Foveon X3
imaging sensor.
The
lens is designed to deliver the 35mm viewing angle equivalent of a 75mm optic.
‘The
Sigma DP3 Merrill completes this series of compact cameras by satisfying the
mid-telephoto and macro range shooting,’ said Sigma in a statement.
The
newcomer incorporates a Dual True II processing engine and boasts up to 7 fps (raw file) continuous shooting.
Also
on board is a 3in, 920,000-dot, LCD screen and a hotshoe for attaching an
optional (EF-140 DG) dedicated flashgun, for example.
A
price and UK launch date have yet to be announced.
Press
release, as supplied by Sigma Imaging UK:
Sigma Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki) is pleased
to announce the new SIGMA DP3 Merrill, featuring a 50mm F2.8 lens, will join
the lineup of the “SIGMA DP Merrill” series. The SIGMA DP3 Merrill is the next
generation of high image quality compact digital cameras. Equipped with the
Foveon X3 image sensor, the DP3 Merrill ensures outstanding resolution and
natural rendering with rich gradation as well as a three-dimensional feel.
Featuring a high performance 50mm F2.8 lens (a focal range equivalent to
75mm on a 35mm SLR camera), the SIGMA DP3 Merrill offers incredibly high levels
of optical performance and takes in every detail of the subject’s information.
This state of the art lens also offers enhanced macro functionality as well.
The SIGMA DP3 Merrill completes this series of compact cameras by
satisfying the mid-telephoto and macro range shooting. The SIGMA DP1 Merrill is
designed for wide angle images, the SIGMA DP2 Merrill is for standard range,
while the DP3 Merrill rounds out the series with a camera for all shooting
situations.
[Key Features]
1. 46 megapixel, 23.5×15.7mm Full-color Foveon X3
Merrill sensor
The 23.5×15.7mm full-colour Foveon X3 direct
image sensor (Generation name “Merrill”), featured in the SIGMA DP3 Merrill,
incorporates 46 effective megapixels (4,800×3,200×3 layers) and 44 recording
megapixels (4,704×3,136×3 layers). The Foveon X3 direct image sensor captures
all primary RGB colours at each and every pixel location with 3 layers,
ensuring the capture of full and complete colour. Since colour moiré is not
generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required, meaning light and
colour are captured by the 46 megapixel 23.5×15.7mm full-colour X3 Merrill
sensor with a three-dimensional feel.
2. Dual TRUE II image processing engine
The dual “TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate
Engine) II” image processing engine dedicated to Foveon X3 direct image
sensors improves the processing speed and overall quality of the final image.
By incorporating two TRUE II processors, Sigma’s unique image-processing
algorithm provides high resolution power and reproduces high definition images
with richly graduated tones as well as a three-dimensional feel.
3. Exclusively designed high performance 50mm
F2.8 lens
The high-performance 50mm F2.8 lens has the
equivalent angle of view as 75mm on a 35mm lens, and it has been designed exclusively
for the SIGMA DP3 Merrill to maximizes the sensor performance. The use of
Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass accompanied by aspherical lens elements not
only compensates for a variety of aberrations, but also allows for a more
compact size. The superior telecentric optical design improves image quality
throughout the frame by passing on information about subjects to the sensor.
The DP3 Merrill has a minimum focusing distance of 22.6cm (8.9″) and a maximum
magnification ratio of 1:3, which can offer quality macro shooting. The Super
Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting, ensuring sharp, high contrast
image quality even under severe conditions such as taking photos against or
towards the sun.
4. Advanced User Interface
The custom quick set menu and the metallic
command dial are incorporated to improve usability. The diaphragm, shutter
speed and menu can be changed quickly using the command dial. The Quick Set
(QS) menu which consists of the most commonly used functions can be easily
displayed by pressing the QS button. It allows photographers to change the menu
content and the order depending on their preferences.
5. Capable of 7 frames continuous shooting
A large volume buffer memory enables the camera
to capture up to 7 RAW images per sequence in continuous shooting mode. Using
the high speed data transfer and processing, the SIGMA DP3 Merrill features a
continuous shooting speed of up to 4 frames per second. In addition, depending
on the situation, it is possible to capture up to 5 frames per second and up to
14 images per sequence in continuous shooting mode in Medium and Low image
quality mode.
6. Easy to use auto focus
The SIGMA DP3 Merrill features a “9 point select
mode” which can select the desires focusing point from 9 different frames
and “Free move mode” which can move the desired point as you like. User
friendly, the new “Face Detection AF”, prioritizes focus on the face of the
subject when detected by the sensor. “AF Limit Mode” can adjust the range
of auto focusing and “Shutter Priority AF” offers faster focus adjustment
by stopping the live view to increase the speed of the auto focusing. The new
AF+MF mode adjusts the focus manually after verifying the AF by rotating the
focus ring.
7. Manual Focus
Manual Focus is available for use when autofocus
or focus lock is not desired. It is possible to use the focus ring for focusing
just like an SLR camera. It is also possible to magnify the display to ensure
precise focusing.
8. RAW+JPEG format recording
The SIGMA DP3 Merrill features a RAW data
recording mode for retaining full image capture detail of the utmost quality
captured through the direct image sensor, plus a JPEG recording format for
convenience. The RAW data format provides pure data for high-resolution images,
and uses lossless compression for more compact, yet uncompromised, data files.
The RAW data format of the camera keep brightness and colour data in a 1:1
ratio without relying on interpolation. When the image is processed in SIGMA
Photo Pro, it will preserve the balance of the natural data for the best photos
with the best image quality. It offers better usability as the RAW data and
JPEG data are recorded simultaneously in Monochrome Mode.
9. SIGMA Photo Pro
The supplied image processing software, “SIGMA
Photo Pro”, converts RAW data quickly and easily. It renders the full, 46
megapixel data. While looking at the captured images, it is possible to achieve
the desired photographic expression by moving the sliders from side to side. It
incorporates functions such as a loupe, exposure picker, print, JPEG
conversion, and batch white balance settings, highlight correction, noise
reduction and aberration correction mode. Moreover, Monochrome Mode makes it
possible to generate monochrome images fully optimizing the Foveon X3 direct
image sensor capabilities.
10. Portable compact and lightweight body
The SIGMA DP3 Merrill has compact dimensions of
121.5mm (W)×66.7mm (H)×80.6mm (D), 400g. The supplied neck strap provides
perfect mobility for candid photography.
11. SD card
The SIGMA DP3 Merrill adopts the SD Card (SDXC
compatible) which is compact and easy to carry.
12. Large, highly visible 3.0″ TFT colour LCD
Monitor
The SIGMA DP3 Merrill features a 3.0 inch TFT
colour monitor which ensures great visibility even outside in the daytime. This
approximately 920,000 pixel resolution LCD monitor benefits from a wide viewing
angle, making it easy to capture detail and to check focusing and composition.
13. Hot Shoe
The SIGMA DP3 Merrill is equipped with a hot
shoe, allowing use of the dedicated external flashgun EF-140 DG (optional) as
well as SIGMA electronic flashguns for SD series such as EF-610 DG Super
(optional) and EF-610 DG ST (optional).
14. Dedicated lens hood
The dedicated bayonet lens hood (LH3-01) can be
attached to block out extraneous light. Attaching Sigma’s optional dedicated
52mm DG filters such as the DG wide circular PL to the camera body extends the
shooting possibilities.
* Lens hood and 52mm filters are sold
separately.
15. Movie Mode
Movies can be recorded with VGA (640×480) size.
The number of shooting frames per second is 30 frames.
16. ISO Sensitivity can be set by 1/3 Step
ISO sensitivity can be set from ISO 100 to ISO
6400. By setting the range to 1/3 EV steps from the default 1 EV steps, it is
possible to set the sensitivity to ISO 125 or ISO 160. ISO AUTO, where the
camera automatically sets the ISO sensitivity according to brightness of the
shooting environment enables you to set the upper limit and lower limit
depending on your shooting style.
