Camera Labs

Who could forget the wows as we read about the specs of the "46MP" (15MPx3) foveon sensor containing SD1. And then the wtf moment when everyone couldn't believe the list price that put it way up there with pro-DSLRs and the Leica M9.

Sigma claim to have done some work on cost saving, and are now offering the "SD1 Merrill" for a much more tangible price. Currently listed on pre-order at B&H for $2299 and one UK place lists £1839. At least that brings it into the ball park of full frame bodies.

But is it too little too late for Sigma? Nikon's D800 with 36MP is likely to be favoured, even with it's conventional bayer arrangement. You get a bigger sensor, more high ISO headroom and lenses you can actually use on other bodies you might want later on. It costs a little more, but at this level I don't think it significant. The SD1's theoretical advantage I don't think is enough to outweigh the other disadvantages of the system.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.