Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
If one mentions photo sites that record RGB channels in separate layers, the smart bet would be the coming or the next 1D flagship. Most of us remember the promise of Foveon brilliantly innovative technology in the SD 9 and SD 10 cameras. However, they are not significant market fighters in the arena of DSLR's.
As of now, Fuji is hardly mentioned but Sony is. Why, because it is alive, growing and eats into the Canon market share in overall digital camera sales.
So now Sigma, the great lens maker, presents the SD14. It appears to share the same essential body design as the SD10 from the incomplete images Sigma has released to build up interest and demand. Since the nomenclature of previous bodies referred to a multiple of the photo sites by 3 (for the RGB layers in each cell), the SD14 likely has 14/3 photo sites, or 4.66 MP photo sites. However, the previous SD series was reported to have effective resolution double that of that of other cameras with the same number of photosets, but where each photo site is a different color. So this camera likely is not full frame (if it was, it would be trumpeted).
What purpose the camera serves depends on its focus speed and frame rate.
If it works fast and furious, it’s a superb sports camera priced perhaps about $1800 and selling for say $1,200.
So which cameras will it compete against?
I think it may turn out to be an excellent portrait, medical, macro and product camera where the use of the camera is one purpose and with perhaps one lens. Or else it may be a niche camera for those who just will love the color and dynamic range like those devoted to the Leica back, the Contax ND and the Fuji.
Asher
As of now, Fuji is hardly mentioned but Sony is. Why, because it is alive, growing and eats into the Canon market share in overall digital camera sales.
So now Sigma, the great lens maker, presents the SD14. It appears to share the same essential body design as the SD10 from the incomplete images Sigma has released to build up interest and demand. Since the nomenclature of previous bodies referred to a multiple of the photo sites by 3 (for the RGB layers in each cell), the SD14 likely has 14/3 photo sites, or 4.66 MP photo sites. However, the previous SD series was reported to have effective resolution double that of that of other cameras with the same number of photosets, but where each photo site is a different color. So this camera likely is not full frame (if it was, it would be trumpeted).
What purpose the camera serves depends on its focus speed and frame rate.
If it works fast and furious, it’s a superb sports camera priced perhaps about $1800 and selling for say $1,200.
So which cameras will it compete against?
I think it may turn out to be an excellent portrait, medical, macro and product camera where the use of the camera is one purpose and with perhaps one lens. Or else it may be a niche camera for those who just will love the color and dynamic range like those devoted to the Leica back, the Contax ND and the Fuji.
Asher