Weirdest Camera Ever? Sigma DP2 Quattro Review with Image Examples

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[horsebydayartbynight]

I'm an Art Conservator, and I use the DP1Q as a studio camera (I needed a wide angle lens because my studio is small). You're right about the white balance. It took a lot of fiddling and experimenting to get it right for my studio lighting, but once it I got it right, WOW. Once I got perfection, I saved those settings, and now every shot is simple and gives prefect color and detail. It is a PREFECT studio camera. I'm on love with it.

[PaulMGleeson]

I have the DP1Q. You are right in saying it is best treated as if it is a film camera. I just love the camera. Both its looks and its ability to resolve fantastic images. I also find it comfortable to hold.

Maybe because I am old and used to film photography, when more often than not I would have iso 100 film in my camera, I don't find iso a problem. Also, it is a fantastic (proper) B&W camera and very useable up to iso 1600. Then like film you have to spend time developing the pictures.

I enjoy that the camera makes me slow down, think more about the shot, getting it right like when I used film. Its very slowness is its attraction.

I have other cameras for when I want to do other styles of photography and I always have a little Sony RX100Vii in my pocket, but I have a soft spot for the quattro

[odemata]

Have the DP0, DP2, DP3 as well the Merrill DP1, 2 and 3. Good cameras with rewarding image quality for those willing to patiently brave that path

[RoyFJ]

I have the DP2 and DP3M, sold off all my Bayer sensor cameras and use these Foveons as my primary cameras for taking photos and for casual photo my Huawei Mate 40 Pro.

[NeAr]

I bought this camera (but Dp1 Quattro) less than 6 month ago, partially thanks to this video.
I can confirm all the pros and cons, it's not an easy camera, the low light problem is true without a tripod but, if you are in the right condition, and you learn how to bring out the best from it, man, what a camera.
Everytime i get the exposure and time correctly it's a surprise, incredible detail even at 200% zoom, and the color are so special and feels so natural thanks to the foveon. And if you switch to b&w, prepare to be blown away by the 3dness of the photos.
It not an easy process, but when you get things right it repays you 10 time the efforts believe me...

[NWPipeSmoker]

I have an SD Quattro, and I also used it on a tripod most of the time. And, because you're already on a tripod, you should try X3i mode - 7 stacked shots to reduce noise. We are talking medium format quality. You have to use Sigma PhotoPro (which I've gotten to kind of like) with X3i files, but ... wow. I also have a Sigma fp, which I can use my SA-mount lenses with the Sigma MC-21 SA-L mount adapter. Mr. Yamaki recently expressed much enthusiasm (in a DP Review interview at CP+ in March 2023) for the advances with computational photography, and the fp does use some computational methodology in allowing ISO 6 - which combines multiple images in-camera. All interesting stuff. Monochrome and Foveon is a natural combination.
-Tom

[thekarmafarmer]

Really excellent review. Very helpful. I won’t be wasting my money on this camera now, thanks. Little low light ability is no good for me.

[ElmarJournal]

The things that made me sold my DP0Q was the lens size that it doesn't fit most my shoulder camera bag, otherwise i still wish i could get DP2q or Dp1q used on my area. Still keep my DP1M, it's still great.

[JohnOpie]

I have the dp1 next to my m4/3 stuff and use it largely for one purpose only: shoot in 12:9 monochrome to recreate the effect of owning a Hasselblad XPan. Great street camera in good light when used that way, I shoot raw + jpg...it is a purist's camera and you have to use it that way.

[joelee]

I am from the 'film era' so I wouldn't be bothered by the slowness and limitation of the camera, it's only that I can't decide to get a fixed lens model or the SDQ, if the latter it must be the H model. The SDQ H is quite affordable considering the IQ of the Foven sensor, but the availability of lenses is the problem, I don't want to use m42 with it whenever possible.

[karimk]

I have the Sigma Dp2 and it's still amazing weird camera

[jonathanrowles]

I have two quattros, the DP0Q and DP3Q, but you missed the DP2M Merrill, this is special and the image quality (IMHO) surpasses the Quattros.

[freshandsaltyjohnny]

I'm trying to find a compact camera that is best for taking product photography of fishing tackle. I know 50mm is the sweet spot and 80-100mm is the golden grounds but in terms of compact camera's i think i narrowed it down to a leica d-lux type 109 or a maybe a fuji x-e series. I don't want to have soul less looking photo's aka sony camera's so any advice is highly appreciated if you have any experience with either brands.

[unbroken]

Have the dp3 I think ? The 60 mm lens. Like the look of the 30 mm. As far as the LCD. Trust your apertures and photo basics. I don't see much difference with the dng on the newest firmware.

[saehtnyS]

sick video, thanks for the info <3

[lsamoa]

Thank you so much for this review! You've helped me make up my mind. I've been tempted to get this camera for the wider range of aspect ratio options that it offers compared to most cameras (21:9!!). But the false colours, the iffy white balance and the lackluster low light performance are kind of dealbreakers. Even if I see one at a good price I think I'll pass. Phew!

[stevieb]

Interesting review. It's difficult not to get an overall negative impression. I'm a massive fan of the Sigma cameras (I have three at the moment) and, while they're not the best camera in every situation, there are some situations where they are the best camera to have (IMHO)! I see many complaints about low light performance but my opinion is that you just need to be aware of the ISO limitations and take a tripod! It's good that you've experimented with Foveon and seen it's capabilities.

[unbroken]

What adhesive did you use for the hoodman?

[martingraf]

I love the dp's - but you can go up to ISO 400 - with some decrease of the quality - yes - and b/w you can go up to ISO 800/1600

[chumleyk]

I HATE the fact that camera reviews that were reviewing this line of cameras the first time round ruined the message and thus ruined the idea so that so many people missed out on experiencing it, now only being slowly rediscovered. There's a reason camera reviewers are camera reviewers... they are failed photographers.