Sigma dp3 Quattro Digital Camera
Interesting Challenge
This will be a review in progress, and the reason is simple: like when I transitioned from film to digital a decade ago--after 45+ years with film cameras--the Foveon sensor in this camera, like the ergonomics of the camera itself, demand a new way of thinking. Or, perhaps more accurately, a return to thinking photography. This, as you've read elsewhere, is not the camera for street photography, rapid fire shooting with little setup. My Canon 5D... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Exceptional as a Specialized Tool
This is not a camera for everybody and wouldn't be a good choice for a single camera. It works well only in good light at low ISOs.However, it works so incredibly well in low light, producing absolutely beautiful image quality, that it seems worthwhile as long as you accept its limitations. The results show great resolution. Whether that great resolution is 29 megapixels or 39 megapixels, is subject to much debate. The short story is that the meg... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The most exciting camera in years
If you shoot wide angle, this should be part of your gear. Architecture and occasionally landscapes are what I shoot, and have used a Canon for about 12 or 13 years. The past 5-6 years have been a 5D or 6D with a TS-E 17mm, and didn't think anything new would come along to make me switch to another lens, much less camera. But the dp0 Quattro did exactly that. Build quality: 4/5 Surprising flaws: some of the black paint has come off along the edge... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Awesome Image Quality
The camera body is an unusual shape.Holding seems rather foreign at first but after a little bit of use it fits the hand comfortably and naturally.The body is small enough to fit in a large coat pocket.By this means, a neck strap is not necessary though a hand strap is a must.The user interface is great.Easy and straightforward.Prolonged shooting makes all the dials and buttons very intuitive.AF is dead on.Fast (but not super fast).Image quality ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great Wide Angle Lens
The latest iteration of the DP Quattro series is something of a unique beast. It is a compact camera with a quite large lens stuck on the front which makes it less than compact. It isn't big exactly, but it isn't nearly as compact as the DP Merrill series. First, what this camera isn't. It isn't for a DSLR user expecting lightning fast operation and ease of use. But if you're looking for a good landscape camera with fabulous image quality, then t... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Truly outstanding results...
This is a highly qualified 5 start rating based on the unique Foveon sensor that only Sigma offers... I read all of the reviews I could find before taking advantage of the 1 week free loaner DP2 offer. After sending it back when the week was over I was quite ambivalent about it. However, after reviewing the images again and again on my iMac 5k screen it began to haunt me. I purchased the DP3 and have gotten truly outstanding results with headshot... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
One of a Kind
This is a highly specialized camera...and if you use it the way it was designed to be used, it will blow you away with its image quality. It's not a traditional point-and-shoot. It's a very slow camera, and, from my perspective, was designed to be used on a tripod. This camera does not do well at higher ISOs...but at low ISO, the image quality is incredible. The depth of color and contrast rivals any DSLR I've used, including the Nikon D810. The ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent Image Quality
I'm not sure about Sigma's claim that this camera is 29 megapixels. It puts out a file that is 5424 x 3616 = 19.6 megapixels. But that's 19.6 very high resolving megapixels. It punches way above its weight, leaving my Canon 5D Mark2 w/24-70II in the dust for resolving detail. The lens is stellar. This camera is excellent for landscape work, or still work of just about any kind. But watch your highlights, dynamic range isn't huge, you have to watc... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Gem
I purchased this camera after intensive research and was mentally prepared for all its shortcomings. I found I was able to adapt to it very quickly. Overall, I think the operation doesnt feel too much different from any other camera its menu system is actually very simple and intuitive, and all essential settings are easily accessible. Its really an ISO100 only camera, so as soon as you realize the shutter speed is slower than 1/50 or so, you k... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fits perfectly into its niche
Lets get this bit straight: the only reason youd ever buy a Sigma body is for the foveon sensor. For those reading this that may not know what a foveon sensor is, its a triple stacked color filter that allows reds, greens, and blues (RGB) to be represented at every pixel. This is different from the Bayer filter where only one of RGB can be represented at each pixel. Most other cameras (Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc) have this Bayer filter (the one nota... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Ergonomics OK. Focus points, not so much.
The design of this camera is worthy of a Red Dot award. And it really isn't a case of form over function. Truthfully, I find no issues with the ergonomics of the Sigma dp Quattro series cameras. In fact, without the optional OVF, this feels very similar to shooting with a cell phone in landscape. But as this is best suited for low ISO, it is more at home on a tripod for planned shots anyway, making the ergonomic argument moot. And that is where t... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
a very special tool, makes you want to shoot more
Like a track car, the DP3Q is supposed to be a one-trick pony. However its own, well-known limitations (400 ISO only for color, 800 for B&W, no stabilization, weak battery life...) push you to take it with you more and more, and challenge yourself to see if you can hand-hold it at 1/30s, take this funky angle despite the fixed screen, shoot raw even when you are a jpeg shooter despising the slow software, etc... The reason being...the files yield... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Incredible details and beautiful colors
I bought the camera to replace Canon 1DS Mark2 which I used for landscape photography along with 6X17 panoramic film camera. Simply put, it's an awesome camera with hardly any downside for me. I always use a sturdy tripod and use long shutter speed to get wide depth of field. So to me, this is a perfect camera. I have no problem holding the camera by its different looking grip either. In fact, it is quite comfortable so I don't really understand ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
For street photography?
I am a streetphotographer. The Sigma dp0 Quattro or any Sigma camera for that matter is not ideal for this kind of photography. Landscape or architectural photography where one can take his time, yes. The autofocus is slow. The writing speed is turtle pace. The shape is awkward which makes it difficult to access from a camera bag. Battery life is atrocious although it comes with two batteries which coincidentally is the same battery the Leica Q u... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The Best DP Yet
I've been using the DP2 Merrill (and DP1 & DP3 Merrill) for two years and have been using the Quattro for about a month now. Overall, the Quattro is a significant improvement in both usability and image quality. It's more responsive and feels much better in my hands. My biggest complaints with the Merrill are the poor LCD screen, slow write times and awful battery life. These have been addressed. The Quattro is not a fast camera, but it's no long... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Foveon sensors are the best.
This camera is very interesting. It doesn't shoot video, the battery life is relatively short (which is why 2 are provided), autofocus is average, there is no image stabilization, the Sigma software takes a little time to process, and you should probably shoot at the base ISO of 100, and certainly not over 400 unless you are doing monochrome. Those are the negatives. And the truth is they really don't matter because once you see the RAW images pr... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Foveon sensors are the best.
This camera is very interesting. It doesn't shoot video, the battery life is relatively short (which is why 2 are provided), autofocus is average, there is no image stabilization, the Sigma software takes a little time to process, and you should probably shoot at the base ISO of 100, and certainly not over 400 unless you are doing monochrome. Those are the negatives. And the truth is they really don't matter because once you see the RAW images pr... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Amazing image quality in a compact
The DP2Q is simply amazing. From the unique body style, to the outstanding image quality. The camera body initially feels foreign. However with use, it feels very comfortable. Very intuitive. Balanced. Not as small as other compacts, but it will fit in a large coat pocket. Hand strap is a must, neck strap may not be necessary. You have to know the Foveon sensor if you are considering the Sigma DP2Q. Sigma is currently the one camera company that ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Medium Format Camera in your hand.
I made images from this and my EM5 with a 12-35mm 2.8l Panasonic lens to get as close a comparison as possible. In flat light the difference is hard to tell, there certainly is a little more resolution but my non photographic friends didn't pick up on it. When there is some tonal range like clouds at sunset the difference is impressive. The raw converter while slow puts Camera Raw and DXO with my Olympus to shame. Absolutely increditable. I am en... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great images from those who learn to use the camera
Others have written about the files from the Quattro series of cameras. I agree. I am an experienced analog and digital photographer who has heretofore concentrated on black and white capture and printing. There is little doubt that those who take the time to learn how to use the DP Quattro cameras for color capture will find that their images will rival cameras that cost thousands more. The Quattro is a camera that in my opinion is best used for... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Capable Camera
I bought this camera due to a short price reduction. What reviewers say about this camera is true - It is quirky (slow and questionable from an ergonomic standpoint) and the software, which allows the editing of RAW files, isn't too good. That said, it is saved by the image quality. AT 100-400 ISO, it produces very nice images that compete with 36MP FF DSLRs. If you are a landscape photographer and shoot from a tripod, but like to travel light, t... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
sharp lens, easy to maneuver menus, great results
I was looking for something different, i've been a canon shooter for a long time. I wanted something small for travel, and something off the beaten path. I've enjoyed this camera in the 2+ months i've had it. the learning curve was short and not steep. i disagree with all the bad ergonomics complaints, i've found it easy to hold and easy to shoot. very nice colors, very nice RAW development in-camera, i've not even tried the sigma pro software be... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent image quality, fun to use
Foveon sensors in general deliver quite distinctive output, and the Quattro is no exception. Colour rendition is better than the previous Merrill generation, rendering of detail is a little different. Both the Merrill and the Quattro are excellent for monochrome work, but I have a very slight preference for the Quattro's output. The odd design of the body is actually quite good for stable two-handed holding, and the DP2 Quattro performs in a much... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
u will love this camera
I've realized, after reading reviews of each of the Sigma DP cameras and owning them all (DP1, DP2, DP1m, DP3m), that the negative reviews are mostly written by people who don't actually own the cameras.The earlier reviewers pretty much covered the pros and cons (in well written reviews), no need to cover it all again. Here are a couple of pointers:1) The odd shape actually feels fine to use, there's a much better gripping area than any of the ea... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
