Review on 📷 Sigma DP2 Quattro: Unleashing Creativity with a Compact Digital Camera by Patrick Carlson

Wow! This is a big step forward for the Sigma line (IMHO). It has a very cool design and is *much* smoother and faster than my DP1x (but I also like its compact size and ease of use). It's certainly a unique design and more, but I feel like it fits my hand perfectly. No problem. In my first tests, I was able to hold the camera handheld and get a decent shot at 1/15, which surprised me (these cameras don't have image stabilization). Right out of the box I charged the battery, put in the SD card, booted it up and was able to easily figure out the menu (great and very easy to use) and all the controls without even reading the manual (although I plan to read it very carefully over time). I like the controls and the layout. So far I'm very happy with everything. I can already say that this new model performs much better in low light and is much nicer and easier to use with a much better menu system. Better and faster autofocus. It also has a lot of nice extra features that really make a difference when shooting. Early footage appears to show improved colors and resolution, but more time is needed to confirm this. There is a lot of discussion about the new sensor and comparisons to previous versions. All cameras have their pros and cons, but it's clear that the IQ of this new sensor and the Quattro line is superb, delivering on the Foveon promise of color and detail to match much more expensive cameras (larger sensors) and some "Je Nais". Quality se qua (brightness?) is not found in cameras with a Bayer sensor. However, I think that the main thing here is the build quality and feel/handling. As well as particularly thin fixed lenses with a fixed focal length adapted to the sensor. "Quattro is a huge step forward in handling and usability in my opinion. A vastly improved display, menus, controls and even a quirky new design all contribute to that. I felt right at home with it. I'm a very conscientious photographer by nature , and like many others I find the Sigma line very appealing and everything about the Quattro seems very right to me, we'll see if that's the case when I e s to the field and subject it to more rigorous real-world testing. Definitely a very good camera. The box, packaging etc was what you would expect from premium gear and the build and feel of the camera speak volumes throughout. Excellent finish and handling, everything you would expect at this price point, maybe even a little bit better. Not all. **Update: Did my first field test today. Nice sunny day here. I did a worst case test today as time was limited. I set the DP2Q to Auto mode and shot well in JPEG only. I walked around holding all my shots in hand (no tripod). In other words, I used it in almost the same way as P&S, which is not usually suited to this line. But I was curious to see how fair it would be. And I'm happy to say that it worked very well. Beautiful colors and details and very nice handling. "Look" Foveon in my head and everything was as expected. Auto white balance and auto mode worked quite well. Some burned out highlights where I knew they would be (I didn't adjust the exposure) but most things are exposed fairly well. The colors are definitely more vibrant (stock) than my DP1x and the detail is of course much better due to the higher resolution chip. Colors are very accurate and have Foveon clarity. A very bright day that this chip loves. (I also shot with my DP1x today, so I have a few images to compare.) I'm very pleased. The picture quality is. The manageability is excellent. The new menu is great. A significantly better display/screen simplifies image evaluation considerably. Lots of new features that I haven't even used yet, but will definitely come in handy. I'm new to the Sigma line and the Foveon IQ chip and I really like it. A particularly nice feature of the new DP2Q is that you have enough resolution to crop the frame tighter if needed and get good results. In addition, very simple operation and a handy manual focus ring if required. And JPEG IQ is so good that I think this is the first Sigma DP where you might not have to shoot RAW all the time. Having RAW would definitely help in some situations, but most of the images I've looked at tonight seem fine to me. Around 20% I would choose RAW, I think mainly to restore the highlights. The DP2Q is responsive and today I had no problem getting the shots I wanted. Very satisfied and looking forward to the next time. Update January 27, 2015: I have Merrill's DP3 to compare and I have to say the DP2Q performs very well. The Merrill is big, heavy, and as strong as a brick. A real premium camera. Image details are there and it looks like a very good camera. However, the DP2Q JPEGs generally look better based on my quick tests (it will definitely take a lot longer to confirm). The Merrill is very impressive but I can honestly say the DP2Q performs much better. Easier to hold, better display, slightly better control layout (at least for me), and this is, I would say, Sigma's best design yet. It was a pleasure to use Merrill though, although I understood why someone said it was from the "slippery bar of soap" (or something like that) design school. He asks to be put on a tripod, which is fine as many say he belongs.