Sigma SD10

The Sigma SD10 is a digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) manufactured by the Sigma Corporation of Japan. It was announced on October 27, 2003, and is an evolution of the previous SD9 model, addressing many of the shortcomings of that camera. The Sigma SD10 cameras are unique in the digital DSLR field in using full-color sensor technology, and in that they only produce raw format images that require post-processing on a computer.

Sigma SD10
Overview
TypeDigital single-lens reflex
Lens
LensInterchangeable (Sigma SA mount)
Sensor/medium
Sensor20.7 mm × 13.8 mm Foveon X3 sensor
Maximum resolution2268 × 1512 × 3 (10.3 million effective pixels, 3.43 megapixel output image size)
ASA/ISO range100–1600 in 1 EV steps
StorageCompactFlash (CF) (Type I or Type II) and Microdrive (MD)
Focusing
Focus modesOne-shot, Continuous, Manual
Focus areas1 point
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesProgrammed, shutter-priority, aperture priority, manual
Exposure meteringTTL, full aperture, zones
Metering modes8-segment evaluative, center area (about 7.5%), Center-weighted average
Flash
Flashnone, sync at 1/180 second
Shutter
Shutterelectronic focal-plane
Shutter speed range30 s to 1/6000 s
Continuous shootingup to 2.5 frames per second
Viewfinder
ViewfinderOptical, pentaprism
Image processing
Custom WB6 presets, auto, and custom
General
Rear LCD monitor1.8-inch (45 mm), 150,000 pixels
Battery4×AA NiMH or 2×CR-V3
Weight785 g (body only)

Foveon X3 image sensor

Like its predecessor, the SD10 uses a sensor with the unique Foveon X3 sensor technology. The 10.2-million-pixel raw file generated from this sensor is processed to produce a 3.4 megapixel size image file. Although the image file is smaller than images from competing 10 megapixel cameras, it is made from the same number of measured data values because the Foveon sensor detects full-color data (three values) at each photosite; the actual resolution contained in its 3.4 MP images is about the same as a conventional Bayer/CFA sensor of 7–9 MP.[1] Sigma and Foveon count each red, green, and blue sensor as a pixel, and state the camera has 10.2 million pixels; similarly, companies selling Bayer sensor cameras also count each single-color sensor element as a pixel.

Raw output only

Unlike other DSLR cameras marketed concurrently, the SD10 performs no in-camera processing to common image formats such as JPEG and TIFF. Instead, it saves images in its own .X3F format, which retains all the information the camera captured. Processing on a computer is required to use these files. Sigma provides the Foveon-written SIGMA Photo Pro application for this purpose; in addition, Adobe Photoshop CS2 supports the format, as do several other image-processing applications.

Shooting modes

The camera supports single-shot, continuous, 2 or 10 second self-timer, mirror lock-up, and auto exposure bracketing.

Exposure modes

Four different exposure modes are supported: aperture priority (A), shutter speed priority (S), manual (M) and program automatic (P).

Lens availability

The SD10 supports only Sigma SA mount lenses. Only Sigma produces lenses to fit this mount, although their range is fairly broad. Third-party converters exist for a number of other lens mounts, although no automatic features are supported. Many Canon EF mount-based lenses can be converted to Sigma AF mount retaining autofocus and camera controlled aperture setting, however optical stabilisation will not work.

Software

Sigma Photo Pro

Postprocessing of raw X3F and JPEG of all digital SIGMA cameras

Version 6.x is no-cost download for Windows 7+ and Mac OSX 10.7+ (6.3.x). Actual versions are 6.5.4 (Win 7+) and 6.5.5 (MacOSX 10.9+).[2]

Pros and cons

The SD10 is an unusual camera with both advantages and disadvantages compared to most other digital SLRs, and tends to polarise opinion. It has a fiercely loyal base of support and some rather vocal detractors. Commonly cited advantages and disadvantages of the camera include the following:

Pro
  • Excellent color in daylight and good light.
  • Excellent detail, comparable to 6.5 MP Bayer-sensor DSLR cameras.[3]
  • Noise-free image of the at low ISO speeds
  • Pixel sharpness achievable
  • Moiré effects less visible when photographing high-detail patterns compared to Bayer senor based cameras; thus no need for sharpness-degrading antialiasing filters to reduce moiré effects
  • High-quality PC software allows images to be tuned easily to the best quality
  • Takes easily obtained AA or CR-V3 batteries instead of proprietary format
  • Dust protector stops dust entering the mirror box while changing lenses
  • Sports finder allows viewing area outside picture area, letting photographer see if a better composition could be made by zooming out
  • Inexpensive when it can still be found
  • Shooting-priority user interface means always ready to shoot
  • Unique histogram feature shows distribution of RGB values in zoomed-in area of image
  • Simple and intuitive menu system
  • Mirror lock up on dial
  • Removing the dust protector converts the SD10 into an infrared-sensitive camera

Con
  • Does not produce JPEG files in-camera
  • Fewer photographs per image card because no JPEG mode available. Raw files are compressed to about 8 MB per image
  • Slow to clear the shot buffer
  • Originally expensive, listing at $1599 in U.S.
  • Only takes Sigma lenses; no third party support except via adapters
  • Poor low-light performance; high-ISO modes produce noisier images
  • Image quality degrades in long exposures (over 4 seconds)
  • No built-in flash
  • Single autofocus sensor instead of three or more in competition
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References
  1. "DPReview studio test of Sigma SD10". Sigma SD10 studio test. DPReview.
  2. http://www.sigma-global.com/en/download/cameras/sigma-photo-pro/
  3. Michael J. McNamara, "Hands On: Sigma SD14", Popular Photography, Nov. 27, 2006. online Archived 2006-12-07 at the Wayback Machine
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