Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only)

Comments about Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):

The SD15 is as easy to use as my SD10, piety thou the Sigma Photo Pro 4.1 is so slow. Ver.2.0 which I loved to use doesn't seem to work with SD15. Also Sigma's EF-500DG ST works in manual settings but not in TTL. OK you say it's too old, I'm old but I'm still firing on all 4-cylinders. By the way, I went to[...](Sigmas reps for West Australia), just to "pick their brains", but they support only locally bought gear. "Bloody insular!" I say.

Comments about Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):

I'm a pretty avid amateur photographer, and I wouldn't trade any of my Sigma dSLRs for any other camera---especially the SD-15. I especially like the ability to select either a leading or trailing curtain, and the 21 shot buffer is a big plus as well. The only down side to this Sigma and it's predecessors is they're a bit lacking noise-wise in high ISO / low light situations. However, even though the pixel count may be small in comparison to other cameras, the image quality produced is unsurpassed!

Comments about Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):

SD1 was announced in photokina last year 2010. That is probably one of the most interesting news since slice bread for hobbyist and people who are not "forced" to stick with Canon/Nikon due to lens investment.

Having given a choice of either to wait for the SD1 or purchase the SD15 was a tough decision however. I decided to go for the SD15 finally and never regretted that decision.

SD15 is the latest iteration of the existing Foveon chip (SD1 having a totally different Foveon chip) and that is a long iteration given that the first SDs is SD9 that was launched in 2002. If you have worked on improving the same system for the last 8 years, you get a really good working system.

I chose SD15 because the files are smaller, although i shoot in RAW, processing the files and exporting them for upload to my flickr and facebook without resizing is a real time saver. How much time are we saving here? Compared to the latest 16.2 cmos sensor output on the other cam i had and sold off, its 2x the time (MAC mini 2010, LR 3.0).

The SD15 have none of the Dp2 weakness since the autofocus is fast and the current available lens with Optical Stability makes the images sharp and usable at low light (a common complain that first time foveon users have).

Images from SD1 are sharp and carries that elusive 3d look. I mentioned sharp earlier but i just cant stress enough on how sharp it really is. When viewed in 100% you find no mushiness or those typical "fill it in pixels" that are typical of bayer sensors. I have long evaluated the image output of the 4.7 mp foveon chip in my Sigma DP2 vs canon/nikon and i am very much pleased with its true resolution and sharpness.

I find it appalling that there are so many review sites that shoot in jpeg and upsize the image for comparison, i find such comparison illogical. Upsizing any image above 100% introduces pixelation but 100% view is the true comparison. Arguing on the point that a 4.7 mp is small that therefore its 100% sharpness is not fair is an invalid argument since SD1 with 16mp output still have the same 100% sharpness. As for shooting in jpeg, none of the Sigma owners ever shoot in jpg, maybe reviewers should learn that up before doing a review.

Here are other "new features" in other cameras (NOT in SD15) and often mentioned in reviews and why i don't even want them :

- Video : I find camcorders provide more natural grip and usable in long hours. Using video on a camera even on the SLT a55 i had was interesting but nowhere where the practicality of the camcorder.
- Panorama : When you have to move and shoot, the images are not usable except in bright day light. Shooting sunset and sunrise produces low quality images. Its so much better to just shoot and join them later on.
- Face detection : I find that an average human could detect faces much better without the frustration to wait for the AI to find them
- Smile Detection: i find that an average human could detect genuine smiles much better. While it might be useful for holding the camera and shooting yourself, its more of a gimmick.
- HDR / DR mode : use bracketing, built in HDR doesn't work on RAW and whats the reason of getting a DSLR again? DR mode doesn't even match the DR of an SD15.
- GPS : I need my batteries to work for my important shots, not for talking with the satellite. A similar lessoned learn from using GPS on mobile phones.
-Smaller, lighter : Get a compact. The day will come when you can have high quality images on a compact in a pocket, but its not today. If you get an EVIL with additional lens, you would still need some nice bag.
- AMOLED/High LCD : Shooting raw also means the jpg showed is just a rudimentary image on the LCD, having a super high resolution LCD is only useful if it saves further energy

Features that would be most welcomed and are NOT in SD15 :
- Swivel LCD
- more AF points
- Auto iso to include ISO 50 (more on this later)

The buttons and functions on the SD15 are easy to access and comes with a Quick Setting (shortcuts configuration on most popular settings). The layout is not conventional and some features like the flash mode are not where it should be as in other cameras, its only a surprise when u first use it. The only qualms i have on the settings is choosing the focus point as its requires more effort to hold a button while moving the dials than just pressing one button followed by another as in the DP2.

The battery life is good for around 400-500 shots and thats pretty usable. I ordered a spare battery anyway since i often bring 2 batteries for my shootings. I focus on shooting pre-wedding (asia) and relationships.

The auto ISO might come as a surprise to many, its range being 100-200! But that does not means that it does not work in low light, its does and works pretty nicely as long as its not a moving object and on the condition you get a OS lens. Moving objects in low light is going to be blur no matter what camera you use at this point and for me that defeat the purpose of having high isos that removes too much details in due to its de-noising algo. For shooting lowlight scenery or night scene, you are going to use a tripod anyway!

I ordered mine with Sigma 17-50mm OS.

In summary, at the current price, its a very good buy for those who wants a camera that captures astounding images or existing Canon/nikon users who wants to see for themselves, what it is all about.

Comments about Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):

I use the Sigma SD15 for checking out the possibilities for portrait work. I already know it is excellent for landscape pictures due to the phenomenal color quality. The pictures really pop!

I have used Nikon exclusively over the past 50 years. My latest one is the D2x which I use for professional work. The SD15 is an easy transition from Nikon in that the controls, although not similar, are very intuitive. The menu is extensive and easy to learn.

I am not sure, at this point that I have a negative thing the say about this camera. In time, there may be some things that I find annoying but the jury is still out on that issue.

Comments about Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):

Some reviews on the Internet regarding the SD15 are not really positive.

Yet, owing a SD14 (it was my first SIGMA ever) and now the SD15, I can say, based on a real use of the camera, that I have to disagree with most of the negative comments you can read on the Net.

Is this camera perfect? No, like any Canon, Nikon, Sony cameras of the same price.

Why would you buy it? Because it delivers the best IQ for the price. Period.

Comments about Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):

It's a sturdy camera, with a very nice LCD and an astonishing image quality. But like any other Foveon based camera, you are on Sigma's hands. To find a really good optics may be a problem. My advice is to stick with primes org buy a M42 to SA mount adapter (it will keep the focus confirm and you will be able to use aperture priority and manual modes).

I gave 4 stars just for two reasons, the small optical viewfinder. It could be much better. The second one is that the high ISOs are noisy, but since I shoot 99% at ISO 100, this is not a big problem.

Comments about Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):

Same outstanding detail and color, maybe even better color right out of the camera. Improved UI, faster architecture (multi shot). Less noise at higher ISO.

Still waiting for X3F support on the iPad.

Comments about Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):

The SD15 is an upgrade from the Sigma SD14 which I purchased in 2008. The 460K display is much improved and a magnifying device such as a Hoodman Loupe can now actually be useful in evaluating the image that was just captured. I will use this camera for fine art landscape photography. Like the SD14 as it renders color with an exceptional clarity/trasparancy that I have yet to see with the Bayer-pattern sensors used in almost all non-Sigma digital cameras. When processing the raw images, there is a lot of latitude for uping saturation and contrast without the image looking unatural-this is where the SD15 really shines. Bayer-pattern sensors undergo much more processing so the image can't be quite as succesfully manipulated. White balance is improved- I have yet to see the magenta-green crossover issue that sometimes plagued the SD14. Even with improvements, this is not a great available light camera and performs best when limited to use in the 100 to 200 ISO range. I wish that they had continued to use CF cards instead of adopting the SDHC standard. I highly recommend getting fast SDHC cards. Now if they would just come out with a full frame Foveon sensor.

Comments about Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):

Well this is my first DSLR camera, but I have use many other DSLR like Nikon, Canon, Pentax from friends...The main feature I was looking for in a DSLR is image quality...The Foveon X3 image sensor have been receiving high remarks on their image quality, which can capture all primary RGB colors at each and every pixel location arranged in three layers sensor...

Pros: The pros I have on this camera is image quality, the dust protector, SD memory card and the price compare to the SD14 when it first came out...

Cons: Is the limited accessories you can buy for this camera...Next is no live view mode, but I think if that feature was available...The camera would mostly become a heavy, large and expensive point and shoot camera and that will take away the professional fun of being a DSLR...

All in all, this is a extraordinary camera...You will not go wrong purchasing this camera...Just dont take my word for it...Search the web...Soon there will be alot of reviews coming out...