Pocked-Sized Sigma Camera fp with Film Mode

by Benjamin Andrew Stokes digital marketing

That one was given to us by wonder! Along with the introduction of pretty a few new sigma lenses for Sony E-mount as well as L-Mount, SIGMA has simply unveiled their newly developed SIGMA fp camera, sporting a complete-body 24.6MP backlit sensor! It comes with some welcomed hints and clean thoughts along with a committed transfer to set the digicam either in stills mode or in cine mode.

So here it is: SIGMA’s first digicam with genuine determination for cine programs. It’s based totally on a traditional BSI Bayer sensor but this digicam is in contrast to any digital camera I’ve seen in a completely long time.

According to SIGMA, this digicam is unfastened from genre or classes and it’s designed to be a real user-centric digital camera.

Full-Frame Mirrorless Sigma Lenses

The camera itself is genuinely tiny, more afield than an ergonomic camera. That’s because SIGMA desires this digicam to be as modular as viable that allows you to cater for most capturing situations. From stills shooters to indie filmmakers, the SIGMA fp can transform into something you like it to be. That’s the idea.

The back-illuminated Bayer CMOS sensor is 36x24mm with an effective resolution of 6,072 × 4,056 pixels, ensuing a complete of 24.6 megapixels [in an earlier version we mistakenly wrote 60 megapixels]. The digicam uses the brand new L-Mount which makes overall feel as SIGMA is part of the L-Mount alliance and already produces L-Mount lenses.

The SIGMA fp comes with a devoted switch for putting it into both stills or cine mode. And every of the modes transforms the complete digicam gadget with the intention to best show the gadgets of significance to every use case. No greater digging the menus for that particular video placing! Very excellent. Furthermore, it comes with a committed video file button.

Video Recording

The SIGMA fp statistics either uncooked CDNG in eight, 10 or 12bit (externally to SSD) or it facts undeniable h.264 into a. Move container either in all-i or GOP mode. Supported resolutions consist of:

• 3,840 × 2,160 (UHD 4K): 23.98p, 25p,29.97p

• 1,920 x 1,080 (full HD): 23.98p, 25p, 29.97p, fifty nine.94p, 100p, 119.88p

I couldn’t discover any intel approximately coloration sub-sampling but will upload these statistics once I have them. Another element which remains a bit doubtful is the reality that SIGMA states a 1.Five crops inside the specifications.

Maybe that crop applies to video recording (or UHD recording, at least). It also could be just an option (as seen inside the menu – video above @ 2:34), which will be a nice possible answer, of course. We will replace this newsletter as soon as we know for certain.

For external recording, the video feed can be sent out through USB three.1 (GEN1) to a fast outboard SSD or through HDMI (4:2:2 8-bit best because it seems) to an external recorder. SIGMA in particular names ATOMOS Ninja Inferno and Blackmagic Video Assist 4K as supported devices. More makes and models have to comply with I expect.

Note: The in-camera playback feature of recorded CinemaDNG frames might be implemented later with a firmware improve in order of how you could shoot CDNG however you may play it returned on the camera itself. Another curiosity: In their press launch SIGMA claims that the fp is capable of document 12-bit uncooked CDNG externally via USB 3.1 whilst besides down within the specifications, it reads that the camera can file 12-bit raw CDNG internally. We will need to wait and discover what’s sincerely the case here.

The fp digital camera facts to one of the following varieties of media: SD / SDHC / SDXC Memory Card (UHS-II like-minded). Furthermore, you can use an external USB3 SSD to be able to be bus-powered. The BMPCC 4K springs to mind!

Click Mode vs. Film Mode

Since this digital camera sports activities not one but two cameras in a single frame, let’s run through the features of both modes! In well known, this is certainly a nice (maybe even late) function to have in modern mirrorless hybrid cameras. Using the devoted switch you may flick between stills mode and cine mode results easily without any menu digging.

Furthermore, in every mode, you handiest get the applicable data displayed at the screen and those records replicate the mode you’re working in. For instance, you’ll get a 16:9 photo in cine mode with none overlaying icons. You can, however, allow some overlays along with audio meters or a waveform reveal. Additionally frame guides can be displayed (and change of direction).

TC can be displayed in cine mode however no longer in stills mode. Exposure correction is a function stills photographers need, video shooters no longer so much. You get the concept.

I assume this selection alone is a huge breakthrough for video talents on small mirrorless cameras which includes this SIGMA fp. Other producers ought to reflect on consideration on setting apart each mode of operation as properly!

Other Specifications

The SIGMA fp is a tiny camera, certainly. With normal dimensions of 112.6×69.Nine×forty five.3mm and body weight of 370g, without battery and card, the SIGMA fp isn't always your common mirrorless digital camera. Maybe that’s why the fp stands for fortissimo & pianissimo: Strong and mild on the equal time.

The rear TFT display screen can’t swivel or tilt. It sports activities approximately 2.1 million dots and it’s a touchscreen, of direction. The digital camera offers a three.5mm mic input and, as a scratch audio supply, a built-in stereo mic. It also offers a tiny speaker for audio playback however one way or the other SIGMA forgot to put into effect a headphone jack.

That’s without a doubt a bit strange for the reason that this camera is aimed towards video (as a minimum in cine mode), so I can’t think of any purpose to no longer enforce a headphone out. Maybe SIGMA adds this with a future module of some kind. Let’s simply desire right audio has not been forgotten here.

The SIGMA fp gives a so-referred to as director’s mode, i.E. Director’s viewfinder. With it, you could mimic another digicam’s sensor length as well as film cameras or even anamorphic lenses. Available and construct-in digital camera profiles include the ARRI ALEXA LF, MINI LF, AMIRA, Sony VENICE, RED MONSTRO 8K and lots of more.

So this digital camera ought to even be an administrator's accent on completely-fledged productions. Not exactly important but still a pleasant addition. In a later firmware upgrade, you will also be capable of file and playback video whilst in director’s mode.

With a whole stack of add-ons for this new digital camera, SIGMA helps you to transform it into anything digital camera you like. Add a handgrip and a hot shoe for adding a flash? No problem! Need a proper viewfinder and a huge handgrip at the side of a mount converter for shooting video? Not a trouble!

You sincerely can transform this digicam to healthy your specific desires for the given task. Pretty neat I’d say. For a complete overview, we want to head palms-on of direction however from what I can see here this SIGMA fp may be a capable tool for stills shooter and indie filmmakers alike.

In terms of strength, the fp uses a SIGMA lithium battery (Li-ion Battery BP-51). And because the digicam sports activities USB, you may price the battery via that USB port, but only if the digicam is turned off.