The Sigma dp3 Quattro Digital Camera combines the 29 MP Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor with the TRUE III image processing engine to create high quality images with an equivalent resolution of 39 megapixels due to the unique sensor design. This method uses layers of pixels to capture the color data of the red, green, and blue spectra vertically, requiring no interpolation. This results in a sharper image with better color gradations.
With this technology is a 50mm lens producing a 35mm equivalent focal length of 75mm; making it useful for portraits, weddings, concerts, or any situation where a medium telephoto can be applied. It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, making it useful in low light and for providing separation of a subject from its background. Incorporating a Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass element and a glass mold aspherical lens, optical aberrations are minimized. Also, for composing and reviewing images, a 3.0" 920k-dot TFT LCD display is available on the back of the camera.
For low light shooting, the camera has an ISO sensitivity range of 100-6400 in 1/3 steps and it has P/S/A/M shooting modes for full control over your exposure. It even has RAW image capture at a max resolution of 5424 x 3616 for excellent editing capabilities. For focusing, there is contrast-detect autofocus or a manual focusing ring for your preference. And, the camera saves your images to an SDXC, SDHC, or SD card.
This camera utilizes the latest generation of this technology, named Quattro due to the 1:1:4 ratio of the pixel layers, with 20 MP on the top layer and 4.9 MP on each of the bottom two. This simultaneously reduces file size and increases resolution, making the camera faster and lowers the power consumption. This speed increase is also due to the third generation Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine, or TRUE III image processing engine. The processor is optimized for handling the complex image data recorded by the sensor and produces high quality imagery.