![]() Sigma doesn’t state the battery life, but after about 50 exposures, the indicator dropped to 50%. Due to the ultra-compact build, it also has a small, 1,200mAh battery. It uses a contrast-detection-only autofocus system with 49 points, and it’s not a “fancy” type of contrast detection like the Depth from Defocus tech in Panasonic L-mount cameras. It can shoot bursts up to 18 frames per second, but only for 24 frames. In fact, looking at its specs, I doubt Sigma intended the Fp to be much of a still camera. If you ever shoot with flash, whether on or off-camera, the Fp isn’t going to work for you. Worse, it means flash sync speed is limited to just 1/30 second for JPEG and only 1/15 for RAW. ![]() Without one, distortion from the electronic rolling shutter is a constant threat when panning or shooting fast-moving subjects. I found all this forgivable, but there is one thing the Fp lacks that can’t be ignored: a mechanical shutter. Image used with permission by copyright holder ![]() The Sigma Fp lacks an electronic viewfinder, the touchscreen is fixed, and the shoe mount is not built-in, but rather a screw-on attachment that sticks out to the side of the camera. Despite the exposed heat sink, the camera is fully weather sealed. This keeps the camera in its optimum temperature range even when recording long takes of RAW video. This isn’t a design statement, but a heat sink. Sprouting between the body and the LCD screen is a ribbed pattern that runs along the edge of the camera. A few different grips are available to improve ergonomics. The camera feels like it could survive anything short of a direct nuclear strike. Sigma made sacrifices to get to that size, but not in build quality. Measuring 4.4 x 2.6 x 1.8 inches and weighing a hair under 15 ounces, it’s the smallest and lightest full-frame camera. The Fp looks and feels like a small, matte black brick. I hope to see Foveon development continue as it offers advantages for certain still photography applications, but the switch was necessary to give the Fp such strong video capabilities. Two, it uses a regular 24.6-megapixel Bayer sensor instead of the Foveon X3 chip of previous Sigma cameras, like the SD Quattro H. One, it uses the Leica L mount as opposed to Sigma’s own SA mount, making it compatible with a number of lenses from Leica and Panasonic in addition to Sigma’s own. It is not entirely fair to say the Fp doesn’t adhere to any design standards, as it does embrace two that help give it a foothold. It is certainly unique, though, and that’s exciting. Maybe it doesn’t even have peers, but calling it “peerless” seems too strong a compliment. This makes it a tricky camera to rate in comparison to its peers, since it doesn’t seem to directly compete within its own price group. It doesn’t have a viewfinder or mechanical shutter, for example, but it does shoot RAW video and offer a computational low ISO of 6. The Fp can’t do a lot of things other cameras in the $2,000 price range can. Sigma’s mirrorless ultra-telephoto is so light you’ll actually want to use it Sony A7S III hands-on: Confessions of a devout Panasonic user The Nikon Z 7 II and Z 6 II are coming October 14: Here’s what we want to see
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