http://www.digitalcameraworld.com MARCH 2020 DIGITAL CAMERA^111
Dynamic range (EV)02468101214100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 25600
Sigma fp Nikon Z 6 Panasonic S1
Sony Alpha 7 IIISignal to noise ratio (decibels)0102030405060100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 25600
Sigma fp Nikon Z 6 Panasonic S1
Sony Alpha 7 IIIResolution (line widths/picture height)01020304050100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 25600
Sigma fp Nikon Z 6 Panasonic S1
Sony Alpha 7 IIIDigital Camera verdict
The Sigma fp delivers respectable dynamic range
at low sensitivities and closely matches its key rivals.
However, at ISO 1600 and beyond it trails the pack.The Sigma fp feels no more than an interesting
alternative in the stills market, but it’s a fascinating
video camera that takes a genuinely fresh approach.4.0 Excellent
Lab tests
It’s small wonder that with all four cameras packing
24MP sensors or thereabouts, all resolve identical
amounts of fine detail up to ISO 3,200, and
differences remain minor further up the scale.Though the Sigma fp scores well, it’s narrowly beaten
by the Nikon Z 6 and Sony A7 III, and all three cameras
are some distance behind the Panasonic S1.completely out of focus. The static
AF performance is fine, but the
continuous AF mode is pretty patchy.
The fp does have electronic image
stabilisation, but it’s no substitute
for the real thing. It captures and
merges three shots (for stills) or two
frames (video) to produce a sharper
image, which adds to the processing
overhead and, when shooting stills,
it works for JPEG capture only.
In its video mode, the Sigma fp
echoed the results we got in stills
photography – it can find focus,
but it can lose it very quickly too
and spend some time getting it
back again. The slow AF might
bother a lot of videographers, but
for many others, continuous AF is
not an essential. It’s nice to be
forced to do some work yourself
- especially with this little camera.
On the plus side, the fp’s small size
means it is easy to balance on a
gimbal. The footage we filmed on
a gimbal was stable even when
we turned image stabilisation off.
The still image quality you get from
the fp is very good. Both our lab tests
and our real-world shooting confirm
that the Sigma fp matches its
24-megapixel full frame mirrorless
rivals for resolution, noise and
dynamic range. It might feel as if
it’s been designed as a ‘video first’
camera, but it works well for stills
photography and there’s no
compromise in image quality.
The fp is a camera that dares to
be distinctive. Stills photographers
might find the Sigma fp a bit irritating
to handle without its optional screw-on
grip. Videographers will see it in
a different light. Rod LawtonFeatures Build &
handlingPerformance Value4.0 3.5Although the Sigma fp
hunts a little more in
low light, it’s still fast
enough for fidgety pets.The ISO 6,400 shot is a very sharp, punchy image for such a high ISO setting. Although
the fine textures are smoothing over at ISO 102,400, this is still a pretty good result.
Sigma f p Mirrorless
4.0 4.5ISO 6,400 ISO 102,400