Sigma is growing its camera line instantly with a model new model, the fp L. It’s the second inside the agency’s ultra-small assortment, and joins, comparatively than replaces, the first-generation fp, launched in 2019.
With the fp L, Sigma shouldn’t be reinventing the wheel. The important thought is analogous—a small, no-frills full-frame camera physique that will squeeze into tighter areas (useful for cinema duties), or be constructed out into a much bigger package deal with gear. The physique itself is just 2.8 by 4.4 by 1.8 inches and 15.1 ounces—with a small lens connected it may slide proper right into a coat pocket. It actually works with L-mount lenses made by Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma.
The massive change is the image sensor. The fp L ups choice from 24.0MP all the way in which through which to 60.2MP, and gives on-sensor part detection for speedier, hybrid autofocus. In distinction to most high-resolution sensors, it consists of an optical low cross filter in its design, a various that limits false shade in pictures and video.
The fp assortment is billed as hybrid, as geared for stills as for video. Sigma retains the two modes separated, the Cine/Nonetheless toggle swap swaps between them. It’s a revenue—publicity settings for stills and flicks are often pretty completely totally different. This technique retains a singular set saved for each.
fp L (Image: Sigma)
Photographers can leverage the high-resolution sensor to crop footage and nonetheless net a great deal of pixels for prints. Sigma has added a Crop Zoom function for video too, for lossless HD seize with a 5x digital zoom affect.
There are some limitations for footage, though. The slim physique doesn’t embody a stabilized image sensor, so you’ll need to hold a tripod alongside, and completely digital shutter has a meager 1/15-second flash sync tempo. Nonetheless these trade-offs allow Sigma to squeeze a full-frame sensor into such a smaller camera.
There are fewer drawbacks for video use, though stabilization continues to be missed. The fp L data Raw CinemaDNG footage to a memory card or SSD. Compressed codecs are supported too, with 4K seize at as a lot as 30fps and 1080p as quick as 120fps. You may also have the flexibility to pair it with an exterior recorder, and it helps regular USB-C power for webcam or studio use.
There are one other changes from the fp proper right here and there. The fp L helps two further shade modes, Powder Blue and Duotone, and the modern teal-and-orange cinema grade selection continues to the model new model. You can apply these appears to be to stills or video for an in-camera grade, or work in Raw within the occasion you need to work with shade when enhancing.
EVF-11 (Image: Sigma)
The camera continues to be a bit underserved by itself. Whenever you want to work handheld you’ll need so as to add a handgrip on the very least. To bolster the accent library, and deal with one in all our important gripes with the fp, Sigma can be introducing an digital viewfinder accent, the EVF-11.
The EVF attaches to the side and has very good making an attempt specs. It’s an OLED with a half-inch present and three.68 million dots of choice. Its magnification is the same as a 0.83x SLR or mirrorless camera, and it helps tilt. It blocks some ports, nonetheless presents a USB passthrough so that you presumably can nonetheless file to an SSD and a headphone jack. It’s going to moreover work with the fp, by the use of a forthcoming firmware exchange.
fp L with EVF-11 (Image: Sigma)
You should buy the EVF by itself for $699, or in a bundle with the fp L for $2,999. You can also get the camera by itself, and never utilizing a lens or any gear, for $2,499. Sigma expects to start shipments in mid-April.
