K i t Z o n e
110 DIGITAL CAMERA^ MARCH 2020 http://www.digitalcameraworld.comThere is no hand grip built-in for
comfortable stills shooting (though
you can buy one separately). There
is no built-in flash, or even a hotshoe,
and you need to buy the right
add-on if you want a strobe.
Nine Sigma fp accessories have
therefore been announced so far,
including an eyepiece viewfinder,
a choice of grips and a hotshoe unit.
You are almost certain to need to
buy one or more of these to adapt
this camera for your own use.
But although this camera is pared
back, it is not pared to the bone. Far
from it: the camera has been designed
with lots of function keys and controls,Choosing video or photography at this
point completely changes the user
interface of the camera – and the
options you get on-screen at the
back of the camera. We have seen
this less-than-traditional approach
to camera design before, most
recently on the the Leica SL2 and
the Panasonic Lumix S1H – and it
makes a lot of sense here, too.
At the side of the camera there are
three different covers. One is for USB;
one is for microphone input or for use
with an remote control; and the middle
cover, which hides the connector for
the hotshoe accessory and an HDMI
port. This third cover is removable,
so it must not be lost if you want to
ensure maximum weatherproofing.Performance
The Sigma fp uses a contrast AF
system rather than the theoretically
faster phase-detect/hybrid systems
used by Sony and Nikon. In the past,
this might have been a worry. Contrast
AF has a reputation for sluggishness,
particularly with larger sensor sizes.
In fact, the Sigma fp’s autofocus is
surprisingly snappy. We’ve only been
able to test it with the Sigma 45mm
f/2.8 kit lens so far, and other lenses
may react differently, but with this
lens the fp’s static AF speed feels
as fast as any of its rivals.
The face/eye detection appears to
work well, too, tracking moving faces
quite easily. The focus tracking mode
doesn’t work so well, especially in
continuous AF mode – it can lock on
to a subject relatively well and follow
it around the frame, as long as the
movement isn’t too erratic; but even
if the focus markers are over the
subject, the AF can hunt quite badly
and throw some shots in a burstThe Sigma fp’s manual in-camera
curve/tone adjustments can give
your black-and-white images a
properly gutsy look.Rival cameras
The new Sigma 45mm f/2.8 kit lens
is a very sharp and capable partner for
the fp, but you can use any L-mount lens.Mirrorless Sigma f p
Panasonic Lumix S1
£2,199/$2,498
The S1 takes L-mount
lenses, just like the
Sigma fp, but physically
they’re like chalk and
cheese. The S1 is
big, the fp is not!
Reviewed: issue 218Sony Alpha 7 III
£2,699/$2,798
Still a great camera,
but while the autofocus
system is stellar, Sony’s
video features and
specifications have been
overtaken by rivals.
Reviewed: issue 199Nikon Z 6
£2,099/$2,243
The Z 6 is a terrific
hybrid stills/video
camera, and Nikon’s
succession of firmware
updates is making it
better all the time.
Reviewed: issue 211to help you get the setup that you
want quickly. Sigma has resisted
the temptation to hide key controls
in sub-menus or to include buttons
that are too small for human hands.
In fact, this all-aluminium body has
a solid, almost industrial feel to it,
which gives the impression that is
here to do business, and to do it well.
The fp’s top plate spells out this
approach perfectly. There is a big
on/off switch, a shutter button with
a sensibly proportioned control dial,
and a separate video record button
at its side. In the middle there is a
simple two-position control that allows
you to choose between Cine or Still.