• The best mirrorless cameras you can get right now. The Sigma fp’s performance is a mixed bag, although generally good. There's no traditional EVF available, nor any way to add one. Videographers will see it differently. Shooting wide open at f/1.4 with the 85mm produced a nice soft background, as expected. Image aspect ratios: 21:9, 16:9, 3:2, 2:1, 4:3, 7:6, 1:1 Sigma has opened up the system so third party manufacturers can get in on the action. Receive news and offers from our other brands? Part of the explanation for the small size of the Sigma fp is that it does not have a mechanical shutter at all, only an electronic shutter. I spent most of the time with the 45mm, and reached for a Canon 400mm F4 lens for telephoto work. I was probably reviewing photos more frequently than the average person, which could have contributed to rapid decline — and the indicator is likely not 100% accurate — but I still wouldn’t expect more than a couple hundred shots per charge. Features & Handling It also works well in low light. One for USB, and one for microphone input or for use with an remote control. But it’s important to keep an eye on companies like Sigma that push the boundaries of camera technology since we never know where it’s going to lead. Its ultra-small design makes it a good fit for directors looking for a camera to squeeze into tight spaces—you'll be able to rig it into spots where a Z 6 or S1H won't fit. Sigma fp, Sigma 20 1.4 Art Lens at 1.4, out of camera image. Colors, using the standard color profile, were faithful yet nicely saturated. Too much noise complaints with MFT images. The electronic shutter does present its drawbacks for stills photography, though. Looking at the fp from the top you'll see the power and Cine/Still switches, along with Record to start and stop videos, and a two-stage shutter button for stills. • The L-mount lens roadmap: 42 lenses by the end of 2020! He has a thing for old lenses, boneyards, and waterfowl. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, Above: Sigma fp at 100 ISO with 14-24mm at 14mm. The HG-21 leaves an open space so you can swap out the battery and memory card without having to take it off. The 45mm balances quite well with the fp's slim body, and is an excellent optical performer. The camera feels like it could survive anything short of a direct nuclear strike. Conclusion Depending on your point of view, it is either a miniature marvel or a frustrating flop. Sigma fp review – sample images. Interface: USB3.1 GEN1 Type C, HDMI Type D (Ver.1.4), Release Terminal – also used as an external microphone terminal, Headphone output Click each image to view a more detailed 4k version, or if you’d like to download the original files, head over to my Sigma fp sample images at Flickr. This is the same subject shot at ISO 102,400. And there is no built-in flash, or even a hotshoe, and if you want a strobe you need to buy the right add-on. Battery life isn't spectacular. Many videographers will love it. Any of these can be applied to video just as well as stills. The 14-24mm and 35mm Art lenses are stellar. Alternatively, the Tone button at the back does allow you to tweak contrast so that you can set a flat video output which can give you a wide dynamic range that you can then tweak to your liking in the grading process in post production. As on date, it is the smallest hybrid mirror l ess camera that is available in the market that will shoot both stills and video. There's no articulation available either, so you can't tilt to avoid glare, or to frame a shot from an askew angle. But despite looking like a chunky compact camera, the Sigma fp is in fact a full-frame interchangeable lens camera that is designed for both serious stills shooting and 4K cine shooting alike. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. The world's smallest full-frame mirrorless camera makes some compromises to get there. Not only can it use native lenses from all three companies, but also adapted Canon EF or Sigma SA-mount lenses via the Sigma MC-21 adapter. Audio format: Linear PCM(2ch 48kHz /16bit) © 1996-2020 Ziff Davis, LLC. There was a problem. The fully electronic shutter is the big one when it comes to imaging capabilities, at least for photographers who work with strobes and flashes. The fact is, despite its 18fps burst mode, the Sigma fp is not really camera for sports and action. Updated January 14 with additional comments about battery life. * The Weekly Image Thread 20 11 23 #501 *, I'm a Photographer and My Astrological Sign Is. Here, the camera is simply a central component in a modular shooting 'rig', and the Sigma's small size and multiple attachment points are big advantages. It will cost you more, but it’s also a complete camera out of the box that doesn’t require additional accessories. But the fp's battery life isn't great, and the rear screen suffers in bright light—a problem when there's no real viewfinder. We're also seeing faster and more powerful AF actuators in modern lenses – focus speed ultimately depends on the lens as much as the AF system. The latter is used for charging the camera. The camera does have Sigma's shadow-boosting Fill Light feature built in, and now you can turn it up to +5 (versus the old +2 maximum). It makes weight by cutting out some features we've come to expect in a stills-first camera, like a mechanical shutter and electronic viewfinder. A microphone jack, mini-HDMI and USB-C ports are available on the Sigma fp. Without a flip screen, there’s no way to monitor yourself without an external monitor, and continuous autofocus will be unreliable for all but the most basic shots. The firmware Ver2 update brings the following features: Sigma has also announced, already, that there will be a range of add-ons with the fp.... and when you pick up the camera, and realise just how small it is, you see why. Please refresh the page and try again. The Quick Shift menu does split between the two modes, though. It’s the company's first dive into the cine camera market which touts 12-bit CinemaDNG 4K UHD recording. You'll get a bit more detail at the higher end of the sensitivity range by opting for Raw format. When working in JPG format, the sensor manages excellent detail and little noise through ISO 3200. ISO range: 100-25600 (expandable options:. While Sigma sees this camera being used by everyone from vloggers to Hollywood directors, I do have hesitations before recommending it to the former. In addition to RAW, the Fp can also shoot .MOV video at 440 megabits per second in 4K at 24 or 30 fps, or up to 100 fps in Full HD. Given that there are now so many different full-frame mirrorless systems, this has to be a good thing. Sigma introduced its “pocketable full-frame” fp camera in July of this year which is now shipping with a $1,899 USD price tag for the body only ($2,199 USD in kit form). This is a camera that is designed to be a start of a system, however, which is where opinions might divide. Keep an eye on your inbox! It's exacerbated at the top ISO 102400 setting, but you'll likely only need to use either in extremely dim lighting. If the Sigma fp appeals to you, and your style of photography doesn't rely on fast action, long lenses, and whiz-bang autofocus features, don't count it out. For fast-moving subjects—think passing trains and traffic—you'll see some distortion. The slow AF might bother a lot of videographers, but for many others, continuous AF is not an essential.