Sigma DP2M versus Fuji X100

petemasty

Regular
Location
wiltshire, UK
I ran a quick test between the two cameras. Each set at ISO100 and f8. Please excuse the difference in focal length. The focal point for each shot was exactly the same, the centre of the picture.

I've taken only the centre third of each to compare. Quite a difference. No sharpening involved, just a bit of a tweak in the shadows. Considering the high esteem the Fuji sensor and fix lens combination are held, the Sigma combination is quite frankly mind blowing.

all those who are considering this Sigma unit will hopefully find their way here and be able to see for themselves.

fuji X100 test centre third.jpg
 
Apparently, if you can work around the Sigma's peculiarities, the image quality is stunning. Maybe when they hit the used market I'll get to try it first hand.
 
Having used DP cameras (and I really liked them but I just can't use something without a viewfinder + the DP's I had the LCD was next to useless), I would be curious to know how the Merrill fares at ISO 800-1200. I know the X100 (and keep in mind the X100 does not have the newest Fuji sensor) has no issues whatsoever with those ISO's. The DP's I had could not be used over ISO 200 (400 maybe but the files usually looked terrible). I was actually considering getting a Foveon DSLR until they came out with that crazy price. I opted for a FF Nikon instead.
 
Yep, the DP2M has its shortcomings. I bought it purely for landscape work. My Sony RX100 is my pocket camera for everything. my X100 for the pure joy of shooting street photography and landscapes. but the Siggy for slow, considered, high detailed, still life. It was the image detail I wanted more than anything, and boy oh boy, this camera gives it in spades!!

The Siggy isn't peculiar, though I can understand why people think it may be. It is just poor at AF in low light (good light is perfectly fine and as good as my Fuji) and image quality above iso400 really does suffer. Other than that, the menu is very simple and it is a very straightforward camera to use. Learning curve is very shallow indeed. only peculiar insomuch that it doesn't have a huge amount of pointless menus that people just never ever use, such as lots of silly filters. It does what a great camera should do, and that is take great photos.

That said, each to their own of course.
 
I still don't understand why the DPs are considered peculiar or quirky.

They're just cameras, and my DP2s doesn't operate any more oddly than the other cameras I own.

As a DP2 owner, I completely understand why some folks say they are peculiar.
I tell folks that who's first time it is with these things is that it's paramount that one is patient & deliberate - once you understand this, one is less apt to be frustrated :)
 
The X100 picture does not look sharp. My X100 pictures are much sharper than that - the DP2M is, of course, tack sharp, but my X100 pictures are not that far off from what I've taken with DP cameras. The X100 is a better walk-around camera whereas when I used the DP cameras they really needed a tripod. But sharpness is almost not the right word for the DP2M - it's just smooth and seamless unlike any other camera.

If the DP2M comes down in price I'll snap it up. At $1000 I think it's a great camera given its capabilities, it's just not what I need right now.
 
I look on my DP2M as a miniature 4x5 field camera, light, immensely portable, two step digital processing, albeit without movements or the ability to change lenses, mounted on a tripod with a single film speed:100. I also can't think why I would want another lens on it; its present lens being superb with a field of view similar to that which my mind comes upon.
 
Andrew. the test was a quick test in between the constant rain showers we seem to having here. the focus locked on, so I know there wasn't an issue. trust me, the RAW on my computer looked a lot sharper, but certainly could have done with some more in LR4.

When I have the time I will take a test shot of my bookshelf with both. plenty of tiny detail there to examine.
 
Pete, Don't trouble. They are both fine cameras! I'm not sure if LR has it, but in most cases I use the deconvolution method for sharpening. My PP program RAW Developer has it and it sharpens things up nicely without looking oversharpened. I also shoot at f5.6 or wider with the X100 in most cases. Things may start to soften up above f5.6 but I have not tested that theory.

Nothing can really compete with the DP2M in terms of sharpness.

Andrew. the test was a quick test in between the constant rain showers we seem to having here. the focus locked on, so I know there wasn't an issue. trust me, the RAW on my computer looked a lot sharper, but certainly could have done with some more in LR4.

When I have the time I will take a test shot of my bookshelf with both. plenty of tiny detail there to examine.
 
I look on my DP2M as a miniature 4x5 field camera, light, immensely portable, two step digital processing, albeit without movements or the ability to change lenses, mounted on a tripod with a single film speed:100. I also can't think why I would want another lens on it; its present lens being superb with a field of view similar to that which my mind comes upon.

Interesting perspective. Makes a lot of sense.
 
I'm a latecomer to the joys of the Foveon Sensor but with the announcement of the DP3 and the small tele lens I think I've found something I want.
I looked at the Sigma DP3 samples and a shot of Prague just blew me away. The detail is incredible and way beyond what's possible with my X100 or X1.

Now I need to rid myself of some Fuji gear before I look harder.
For me 75mm has always been more natural than 35mm or 50mm as a standard lens.
 
nippa, the Prague samples are amazing in the way they render light and colour. The DPM's convey texture in an almost tactile way. Interestingly, for 4x5 Blakemore used only one lens slightly longer than 'longer' field of view, in his case 180mm (as distinct from 150mm).
 
...
Each set at ISO100 and f8.
...

The X100 sensor has a base ISO of 200, so exposing at ISO 100 makes the camera 'correct' an over-exposed raw image and there is a loss of quality. Shooting at ISO 100 will reduce the X100 image quality. At ISO 200 the EXR processor cannot do any Dynamic Range tricks, i.e. if you try to set DR 200% in ISO 200 the camera will force DR 100%.

My experience with the X100 is there is very little noise difference between ISO 200 and ISO 800. If you are comparing SOOC Jpegs I recommend setting the your X100 to ISO 800 and Dynamic Range to Auto which will let the camera select DR 100%, DR 200%, or DR 400% as it sees fit.
 
The other day I went for a walk in the woods with my son and took along the X100 and DP2M. I shot primarily with the X100, but took a few with the DP2M. I have found a way to process the Foveon files that allows me to leverage SPP and use my favorite processing app - RAW Developer. I process for a B&W image in SPP then export as 16 bit TIFF, open that in RAW Developer, and process with my favorite recipes (adjusted for the Foveon files).

While these are both great cameras and I'm very happy with the output of both, the DP2M has better detail and, I think, better conveys the complex nature of those woods. But again, I'm happy with both cameras and I've captured many, many great pictures of the woods with the X100.

Here is one of the DP2M pictures:

View attachment 65590
 
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