I just stumbled upon an article on 1001noisycameras, linking to high-ISO comparison by Focus Numérique, comparing the output of the new Sigma SD1 to that of the Nikon D7000. Of course, the Sigma SD1 looses big time in this pixel-peeping contest, and the editors and commentators on 1001nc go on to bash Sigma and rave about Nikon. Phrases such as “being horribly out of touch with the realities of the market” are uttered.

Now, I wonder who it is that’s “being horribly out of touch with the realities of the market” here. Sigma, or the people that compare a $6k, 15 megapixel Foveon sensored high-end specialty camera to a $1k prosumer model?

The reality of the market is that

1. the Sigma SD1 and Nikon D7000 are aimed at two completely different groups of customers,
2. the sensor technologies used in each camera are entirely different from each other and
3. the noise reduction algorithms in the Sigma SD1 are thus far less destructive than those applied in the Nikon D7000, as the former is aimed at photographers looking for actual image quality, while the latter is aimed at “photographers” who believe image quality has to do with noise patterns.

One can argue whether the admittedly rather high price tag of the Sigma SD1 is “being horribly out of touch with the realities of the market”. Yes, I believe that’s actually up to debate, but I also believe Sigma are having their reasons for pricing the SD1 the way they did (development costs being one point). But the truth, uncomfortable as it may be for the noise kids out there, is that the SD1 delivers outstanding image quality if pixel-level sharpness and accurate colour reproduction is what you’re looking for. In that sense, the SD1 is indeed competing more with the medium format market than with the APS-C prosumer market.

Last but not least, here are a couple of links where you can learn a bit about the Sigma SD1 and the technology behind its Foveon sensor. This is some actual information, and not pixel-peepers’ pseudo-knowledge.

http://photorumors.com/2011/05/22/guest-post-detailed-analysis-of-the-sigma-sd1s-foveon-x3-technology/
http://www.x3magazine.com/2011/06/17/this-is-not-a-review-of-the-sigma-sd1/
http://www.rytterfalk.com/category/camera/sd1-camera/