Sigma SD15 Digital SLR Now Available in U.S.
Digital SLRs
Ronkonkoma, NY—Sigma Corporation of America announced that its SD15 digital SLR, with a Foveon X3 direct image sensor, is now available in the United States for the estimated street price of $989.
The SD15 is the latest model in Sigma’s SD series, which previously consisted of the SD9, SD10 and the SD14. The SD15 was developed “to produce superior image quality with improved processing speed, operation and performance, and its 14 megapixel Foveon X3 direct image sensor can capture all primary RGB colors at each pixel location arranged in three layers,” reports Sigma. And the camera’s “True II” image-processing engine helps process a large amount of data, while producing high-res, high-def images.
“Our plans for the SD15 were originally shared with the photo community at photokina in 2008 because we wanted our customers to know that we’re committed to the SD camera system and our outstanding Foveon technology,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. “It’s been long awaited, for sure, but it’s worth the wait. We are really pleased with the image quality we’re getting from this camera.”
The SD15 supports SD cards and incorporates a 3.0-inch LCD monitor with 460,000 pixels, a new 77-segment AE sensor, an analog front end (AFE) and an extra ISO stop at 3200. Its buffer is also larger than its predecessor’s, allowing 21 RAW images to be shot continuously, as opposed to six, and the camera has an improved user interface.
Bundled with the Sigma SD15 is the company’s new Sigma Photo Pro (SPP) 4.0 software, which features user-controlled noise sliders that allow for greater control over detail rendering in images taken at ISO 400 and higher, and special algorithms that were specifically developed for processing SD15 RAW files. Like earlier versions of the software, it contains the X3 Fill Light function, which enables users to add light to shaded areas of an image, without overexposing highlighted areas.
To view video tutorials of the SD15 camera and the SPP software, visit Sigma Corporation of America’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/user/SigmaAmerica. sigmaphoto.com