Sigma SD10

Infobox_Digicam
model = Sigma SD10


kind = Digital single-lens reflex
sensor = 20.7 mm x 13.8 mm Foveon X3 sensor
res = 2268 × 1512 × 3 (10.2 million photoelements)
lens = Interchangeable (Sigma SA mount)
viewfinder = Optical, pentaprism
storage = CompactFlash(CF) (Type I or Type II) and MicroDrive(MD)
shutter = electronic focal-plane
shutterRange = 30 s to 1/4000 s
metering = TTL, full aperture, zones
emode = Programmed, shutter-priority, aperture priority, manual
mmode = 8-segment evaluative, center area (about 7.5%), Center-weighted average
farea = 1 point
fmode = One-shot, Continuous, Manual
cont = up to 2.5 frames per second
speedRange = 100–1600 in 1 EV steps
rearLCD = 1.8-inch (45 mm), 150,000 pixels
WB = 6 presets, auto, and custom
flash = none, sync at 1/180 second
weight = 785 g (body only)
battery = 4xAA NiMH or 2xCR-V3

The Sigma SD10 is a digital SLR camera produced by the Sigma Corporation of Japan. It was announced on October 27, 2003 and is an evolution of the previous SD9 model, addressing many of the shortcomings of that camera. The Sigma cameras are unique in the digital SLR field in using full-color sensor technology, and in that they only produce raw format images that require post-processing on a computer.

Foveon X3 image sensor

Like its predecessor, the SD10 uses a sensor built with the unique Foveon X3 technology. The 10.2-million-value raw file generated from this sensor is processed to produce a 3.4 megapixel image file. Although the image file has fewer pixels than images from competing 10 megapixel cameras, it is made from more measured data values because the Foveon sensor detects full color data (three values) at each photosite. The more common Bayer sensor detects only one primary color at each photosite and must interpolate the full color by using data from neighboring sensor sites. Sigma and Foveon separately count each red, green, and blue sensor at a photosite and state the camera resolution as 10.2 million pixels; similarly, companies selling Bayer sensor cameras also count each single-color sensor element as a pixel.

Raw output only

Unlike other digital SLR cameras marketed concurrently, the SD10 performs no in-camera processing to common image formats such as JPEG and TIFF. Instead, it saves images in its own .X3F format, which retains all the information the camera captured. Processing on a computer is required to use these files. Sigma provides the Foveon-written SIGMA Photo Pro application for this purpose; in addition, Adobe Photoshop CS2 supports the format, as do several other image-processing applications.

Shooting modes

The camera supports single-shot, continuous, 2 or 10 second self-timer, mirror lock-up and auto exposure bracketing.

Metering modes

4 different metering modes are supported: aperture priority (A), shutter speed priority (S), manual (M) and program automatic (P).

Lens availability

The SD10 supports only Sigma SA mount lenses. Only Sigma produces lenses to fit this mount, although their range is fairly broad. Third-party converters exist for a number of other lens mounts, although no automatic features are supported. Many Canon EF mount based lenses can be converted to Sigma AF mount retaining autofocus and camera controlled apterture setting, however optical stabilisation will not work.

Pros and cons

The SD10 is an unusual camera with both advantages and disadvantages compared to most other digital SLRs, and tends to polarise opinion. It has a fiercely loyal base of support and some rather vocal detractors. Commonly cited advantages and disadvantages of the camera include the following:

Pro

* Excellent color in daylight and good light.
* Excellent detail, comparable to 6.5 MP Bayer-sensor DSLR cameras. [Michael J. McNamara, "Hands On: Sigma SD14", "Popular Photography", Nov. 27, 2006. [http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3411/hands-on-sigma-sd14.html online] ]
* Noise-free images at low ISO speeds.
* Pixel sharpness achievable.
* Moiré effects less visible when photographing high-detail patterns compared to Bayer senor based cameras; thus no need for sharpness-degrading antialiasing filters to reduce moire effects.
* High-quality PC software allows images to be tuned easily to the best quality.
* Takes easily-obtained AA or CR-V3 batteries instead of proprietary format.
* Dust protector stops dust entering the mirror box while changing lenses.
* Sports finder allows viewing area outside picture area, letting photographer see if a better composition could be made by zooming out.
* Inexpensive when it can still be found, late 2005.
* Shooting-priority user interface means always ready to shoot.
* Unique histogram feature shows distribution of RGB values in zoomed-in area of image.
* Simple and intuitive menu system
* Mirror lock up on dial
* Removing the dust protector converts the SD10 into an infrared-sensitive camera

Con

* Does not produce JPEG files in-camera.
* Fewer photographs per image card because no JPEG mode available. RAW files are compressed to about 8 MB per image.
* Slow to clear the shot buffer.
* Originally expensive, listing at $1599 in U.S.
* Only takes Sigma lenses; no third party support except via adapters.
* Poor low-light performance; high-ISO modes produce noisier images.
* Image quality degrades in long exposures (over 4 seconds).
* No built-in flash.
* Single autofocus sensor instead of three or more in competition.

ee also

* Sigma SD9
* Sigma SD14
* Sigma DP1

References

External links

* [http://www.sigmaphoto.com/cameras/cameras_cameras_details.asp?id=3256 Official Sigma SD10 Page]
* [http://www.sigmaphoto.com/faq/faq.asp?navigator=2 Official Sigma SD10 FAQ]
* [http://www.foveon.com Foveon.com, the maker of the X3 sensor used in the SD10]
* [http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sigmasd10/ DPReview.com Reviews the SD10]
* [http://www.pbase.com/sigmadslr/user_sd10 SD10 user image galleries]
* [http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1027 Sigma SLR Talk Forum] on dpreview.com