"First
of a kind" is a description that encapsulates the Sigma SD9.
It is the firstSigma
digital camera, and it is the first widely available digital camera
to use Foveon® X3™technology.
The Foveon X3 image sensor is a new design that captures each primary
colour at a different depth of every pixel, instead of relying on a colour
filter.
Over the years, Sigma has built a reputation as a 3rd party optics manufacturer,
creating good and affordable lenses for use on the camera bodies of other
manufacturers. Some of these lenses have won hard to come by recognition,
overcoming some of the prejudices of photographers that tend to stick
with the more famous brands, and ignore lesser-known manufacturers, regardless
of merit.
Sigma has been producing
some outstanding optics for quite a while, and the lens used in this review
is a prime example. Sigma jumped into the manufacturing of SLR bodies
in 1993 and currently produces 3 film SLRs, including the SA-9, the basis
of the SD9.
The SD9 is big, bigger than any of the other digital SLRs currently on
the market, and noticeably so. It is also heavy, especially when mated
to a large, metal bodied lens such as the one used for this review, a
15 to 30mm internal focus lens with an f3.5/f4.5 aperture. S-Dial — above it; and an LCD
panel.
The Mode Selector provides 4 shooting modes:
P
Full
Program mode with Program Shift, which allows the selection of different
combinations of apertures and shutter speeds.
S
Shutter
Priority, for which shutter speeds are selected with the upper dial
marked "Fast---Slow".
A
Aperture
Priority, for which apertures are selected with the Command Dial
(around the shutter release).
M
Manual
mode, which allows the use of both the S-Dial and the Command Dial.
The
LCD display indicates the most critical settings of the camera, but has
no backlight. The settings shown are for:
Shutter
speed
Aperture
Metering
Mode
Frame
counter
Sensitivity
Sound
(Beep)
Auto
Bracketing
Exposure
Comp.
Remote
Control
Resolution
White
Balance
AF
Mode
Auto
White Balance
Battery
indicators
The
TTL viewfinder of the SD9 is in effect the same as the one used on Sigma's
SA-9. However, since the image capture area of the SD9's sensor is smaller
than a full 35mm frame, the viewfinder area that is out of frame is overlaid
by a greyed out perimeter — something described in the camera's
manual as a "sports finder" since subjects can be seen coming
into the frame area...
The settings display in the viewfinder light up when the shutter release
is half-pressed, and remains on for approximately 6 seconds.
The
viewfinder is equipped with a diopter adjustment, fitted directly above
the exit pupil. In addition, Sigma includes a viewfinder cap to prevent
stray light from entering the viewfinder and reaching the sensor during
long exposures. The viewfinder cap is a hollow clip that attaches to the
neck strap and which allows the strap to be clipped to the viewfinder
— closing it off — by replacing the rubber eyepiece trim.
The
Drive Dial, on
the top left side of the
camera, also serves to turn the SD9 On or Off.
Power
On Off.
Single
shot mode.
Continuous
mode.
Self
timer mode, 2 or 10 seconds.
Mirror
lock up.
Auto
Bracketing.
To
the left of the Drive Mode dial, the Sigma SD9 has 3 small rubber buttons
that are used to select:
8
segment metering
Average
metering (Centre-weighted).
Centre
Area metering (Spot).
Function:
serves to set the camera to use an infrared remote control (optional).
Holding this button down, and turning the Command Dial, allows selecting
one of 3 channels for communication with the remote.
AF:
selects, with the Command Dial, either Single or Continuous autofocus.
Facing
the back of the camera but labeled on top, 2 other buttons are used
to select the Resolution and the ISO sensitivity (100,
200,400 ISO).
The SD9 provides 3 images sizes (resolution) and all images are stored
in a proprietary RAW format which requires the use of software to finalize
the image:
2268
x 1512
1512
x 1008
1134
x 756
On
the other side, the right side of camera from the back, the SD9 supports
two other similar buttons. One operates the AEL (Auto Exposure Lock),
the other is for exposure compensation (±3EV in 1/2EV steps).
Below, in the upper right corner of the camera's back, 2 more buttons
are provided to zoom in on an image displayed on the SD9's 1.8 inch LCD
monitor [+ side]; or present 9 thumbnails per screen [- side].
The remaining controls for the SD9 are on the back of the camera, and
most of them are aligned vertically along the left side of the LCD screen.
Calls
up the Main menu, which includes options for photographic and camera
defaults.
Starts
the Playback mode.
Provides
information about the photo in playback, including a histogram for
the entire image, or a part of an image.
Calls
up the Playback menu which includes, image protection, image marking,
image rotation, and a slide show function.
Opens
the Delete menu. Also offers an option to recover an image that
has been deleted.
On the right side, the back of the SD9 is equipped with 2 additional buttons,
and a 4-direction controller that is used for navigation, be it for the
menus or playback.
Unlike early versions of the camera which had black buttons with white
symbols, this new model has coloured and textured buttons for the OK and
Cancel functions. The OK and Cancel are primarily intended for the Playback
and Delete menus. Although they can be used with the main menu, the 4-direction
controller offers similar functions with its left and right arrows.
In addition, the OK
button is given an additional use, it can be configured as a fast way
to reach a specific function such as locking or unlocking a frame, marking,
rotating, or to toggle on or off the exposure warning mode. (See the
Characteristics section of the review for a more in-depth explanation
of these specific functions).
Unlike its closest competitors, the Sigma SD9 does not have a built-in
flash. The camera is equipped with a hot shoe but is — according
to the manual — exclusively compatible with 2 Sigma flash units
(EF-500 DG Super SA; EF-500 DG ST SA). However, our tests with a fully
manual (Vivitar) flash unit revealed no particular problem for run-of-mill
flash photos.
Nevertheless, using the Sigma units does offer some advantages. The EF-500
DG Super supplied along with the camera for this review has an AF assist
light — the SD9 does not — and supports red-eye reduction,
and TTL metering (flash synchronization is at 1/180 sec.). The EF-500
DG Super used in this review has a Guide Number of 50 at 100 ISO (50 metres
at 100 ISO), making it quite powerful. The unit also offers a modeling
flash function; Multi-flash mode; second curtain synchronization; exposure
compensation; bounce flash and a wireless flash (slave) function.
When compared to most other digital SLR cameras, the Sigma SD9 stands
out for its simplicity. A number of controls found on current digital
SLR cameras involve their built-in flash (modes, compensation) and their
multiple image formats. Since these are not present on the SD9, its feature
set is that much shorter.
Ergonomically, the SD9 provides a generous amount of space for the user's
hands, and its rubberized surfaces on the grip and the back of the camera
provide a solid, non-slip feel.
The
viewfinder, on the other hand, takes a bit of practice to get comfortable
with. While it is bright and sharp, the greyed-out frame — the "sports
finder" — easily leads to inadvertently misframed shots. It
takes a conscious effort to note what parts are in frame, and what bits
are out. Similarly, the shutter speed dial is a bit impractical, particularly
when compared with the dual dials (in front and back of the grip area)
found on comparable cameras.
