Sigma DP1 - 14mp APS-C Point and Shoot - Delayed…
[Update: More Info from Sigma]
Sigma’s put out an official statement here. Here’s an excerpt:
The images looked okay, but they clearly did not have the special image qualities that we see in our SD cameras: delicate, refined and 3-dimensional images rendered in fine detail. After a careful evaluation, we found that the image processing pipeline we had developed for the DP1 was not ideal for achieving the best image quality as it was intended for the faster image processing speed, and we needed to make major revisions to it. At that time we had a choice between compromising image quality and moving forward or taking a different path. After long and sometimes intense discussions, we finally decided to change the entire image processing pipeline.
[end update]
Remember that great concept for a point and shoot with a pro-sized sensor like the D300 has or the concept of the digital rangefinder that Nikon doesn’t seem to be interested in?
Well, Sigma appears to be giving it a go with the Dp1. Unfortunately, it looks like they’re having trouble with it, so it might be a while.
I’m guessing this is another case the MBA’s over at Nikon getting in the way of a great product that could own the high-end point and shoot market (for times when I’m simply taking snapshots and I don’t want to lug around 5-6 lb’s and $7k of a D3 and 24-70mm…)
The tech is there- if there’s any engineering hurdle, I’m guessing that the current Nikon P&S image processors aren’t up to the task of handling such a large chip, and I’m betting the Expeed chipset isn’t happy to be put onto a low-power battery diet like point-and-shoots (P&S) require.
But please God, no hot-shoe mounted finders! Live view would be just fine if we can’t have a real rangefinder…
This is the only camera store that NikonWatch trusts- never any hassle, gimmicks, or problems:
