Sigma FP-L 61MP Camera Definitive Review | 4K

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Keywords: Sigma FP-L, Sigma, FP, FP-L, Sigma FP-L Review, Leica, L-mount, Sigma 28-70 DN, Sigma 28-70 F2.8, Sigma 24mm F3.5, Sigma 35mm F2, Sigma 45mm F2.8, Sigma 65mm F2, Review, Sony a7C, Review, Hands On, Dustin Abbott, Real World, Comparison, Sharpness, Sensor Performance, ISO, Dynamic Range, Autofocus, Image Quality, Sample Images, Video, Photography, Leica L

[GUANTAK]

Hi Dustin, great presentation as always. Absolutely love your content. As a fp owner and soon also fp L, I do appreciate your professional and fair opinion. Most mainstream reviewers focus too much on what they are used to - and what this camera deliberately does without. I can’t wait to try it out for myself. I will use it on a super light and compact Zhiyun Crane M2 gimbal (500 g) with the 24 f3.5 and a Samsung T5 SSD - with no cage at all. That setup will have around 1.200 g only. Go figure... A full frame camera on a gimbal, able to shoot 61 MP stills and 4K 12 Bit cDNG RAW videos - with the unique possibility to change the focal length while filming from 24 mm to 35, to 50 and to 60 mm and still shoot a native 4K. How is that not absolutely incredible. It probably won’t ever get to Sony levels of autofocus performance, and that’s fine. With the 24 mm attached, I can probably just set it to a fixed focus and keep my distance throughout the shot. And pulling focus manually really is the only way anyway if you really wanna do creative and cinematic shots. But that’s another story.

[detectivejonesw]

I must say, that's very good high iso performance. Even at 25600 looking at it zoomed out, it seemed to be completely usable

[JokiW]

Very thorough and honest review. Kudos for concluding that it might be useful to some even if not appealing to you, I think that many ask for all cameras to be made the same just because they like mainstream cameras. Thanks Dustin!

[jhirse]

Thank you Dustin for your review! "Good" to see you had similar challenges with the AF system as I did... Last week we had a Sigma representative in the local camera store, so I went there with my a6700 to test some lenses. Unfortunately for me, he had L-mount lenses with him only. I was allowed to test lenses on an FP-L, configured to 1.5 crop, to emulate my a6700. It was such a disappointing experience. I took like 100 shots on some of Sigma's finest new lenses (500mm F5.6, 70-200mm F.2, 18-45mm F1.8), and maybe 10 were in focus, even when I thought more should have been. Lenses were great, and cam handling was generally OK, and I knew it doesn't have the best AF performance, but I was hoping for a usable a6000 level of performance. It wasn't even close to that. Both the super friendly Sigma representative and my family were willing to let me test more lenses (I had the 85mm F1.4 on my list, as well as the 28-105mm, 60-600mm and 150-600mm zooms), but I was so fed up that I left, totally frustrated... First world problem, I know. I hope Sigma manages to improve (massively) on upcoming generations, as I highly appreciate the company.

[teerawattang]

Thank you Dustin for your comprehensive and one of the best frank review on Sigma fp L. As a current Sigma fp owner, I cannot agree more on your opinion on the lack of IBIS and only 49 focus points on this camera. I personally found that it is difficult to get good image quality hand held with lens longer than 45mm due to lack of IBIS, especially in low light condition. Since I also use this camera with Leica M lens, there are some aspects I would like to share when M lenses are mounted and get comments from other users if they experienced the same. First, I found color under Auto WB is unacceptable because it was way too red in artificial lighting, e.g. tungsten light. This is not the case when mounted on Lumix S1. So custom WB is the only solution. Second, auto exposure is alway under. I normally have to add +0.3 to +1ev. And third, Auto ISO tents to stay low like ISO100 even in low light condition.
I would appreciate hearing from other viewers and how to handle it.

[ChrisWhittenMusic]

I have the FP and it’s a superb little camera. Fabulous images in stills and great for video. The AF is just fine. They were overpriced new and are getting very cheap used. I don’t know if I would pay extra for the FPL

[BiotikaAnti]

Best Review until now! ;D how is the rolling shutter?

[thomasgunn]

I'm really happy to see you review this! Thanks dustin!

[rajlovinglife]

nice comprehensive review ...going forward the next sigma camera should include IBIS, better auto focus, a bigger battery and a stacked sensor for faster readout and also controlling rolling work....👍

[jan-hendrikbussmann]

To cite my girlfriend just now: "Why is he playing peek-a-boo with the camera?" @21:00

[LukeTaylorPhotography]

Your sharpness chart is definitely the coolest.

[Sergey_Pashnin]

How do you like the color out of the box compared to Sony cameras ? Thanks.

[ronaldwhite]

Dustin, Thank you for this in-depth review. I am about to purchase a camera for strictly street photography. What are your thoughts about the FP-L compared to the Leica Q2? I like the ability to swap out lenses with the Sigma but am also drawn to the Leica Q2. My only other consideration is the Fuji GFX 50r. Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks! Ron

[kevin-parratt-artist]

Thanks for this, Dustin. 👌
Is there any provision for remote shutter release?
A cable, for example?

[ryanbeer]

Interesting concept, Sigma has a history of thinking outside the box. Hopefully they'll listen to feedback & use it when they go to production.

[gitithadani]

The minimal design as a concept is very appealing but it does not work if it becomes clunky to attach an evf or whatever. Even for manual work a good evf is even more important to get the most from a 61 sensor. The sony r 4 is about 200 grams more with the evf & ibis & hotshoe with more attachment possibilities. I can use a manual prime 300mm f.5, 6 on the r4 and get some great results due to the quality of the evf and ibis. I also have the sigma 65mm and AF and optics paired with the r4 is stellar. the sigma as a design concept is something unique but it seems to me that concept is not realized yet

[TherconJair]

So I suppose this means either the viewfinder or the hotshoe?

[mentosica]

Seems pretty nifty, but I think that modularity will prove to be more of a repellant rather than a strength. I'd be too worried about breaking what looks to be a LEGO camera.
On a side note: good to see Loki growing up fast!

[jimtrotter]

When you took stills with the 45mm did it hour glass on the screen for a bit after each photo?

[zdimic]

Heatsinks are not open, camera is fully weather sealed, weather sealing for heat sink is behind, on the inner side. Check marketing/reviews when fp came out, 42 points of sealing.
Your reviews are very, very good.
But I wish there was more distinctions between comments on thing YOU KNOW, vs. things you're guessing...