Sigma SD-1

59 reviews

May, 2013

Positive
Image quality (7)
Build quality (6)
Viewfinder (3)
Usability (3)
Sensor (2)

Negative
Performance (11)
Value for money (6)
Screen (5)
Video (5)
Software (2)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 59 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the sensor and viewfinder. The usability and build quality are also mentioned favorably. The screen and video get negative views. The portability and lens get mixed views.

image quality, build quality, usability, viewfinder, sensor

performance, low-light, value for money, video, screen

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital SLR Cameras the Sigma SD-1 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 93/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 59 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(18% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (29% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (16% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (16% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (22% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Performance
Show positive (27%)Show negative (73%)(Show all)

Low-light
Show positive (25%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)

Image quality
Show positive (38%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)

Build quality
Show positive (86%)None yet(Show all)

Value for money
Show positive (7%)Show negative (36%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 25 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 25 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (39)

Expert review by: Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Sigma SD1 Merrill

The Sigma SD1 Merrill is built around the uniquely designed image sensor, but a high price, sluggish performance and a time-intensive Raw workflow make it a difficult sell to all but the most devoted Foveon disciples.

Excellent build quality. High-quality viewfinder. Good control layout. Unique sensor design. Infrared shooting capability

Expensive. Sluggish performance. Subpar LCD. Substandard JPG output. Difficult Raw workflow. No video support

The Sigma SD1 Merrill ($2,299 direct, body only) probably isn't the first D-SLR that comes to mind when you think of a high-end shooter, but it is the one that's the most different from others in its class. It's priced as much as some full-frame...

Jul, 2012

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Expert review by: Andy Westlake, with additional material byRichard (dpreview.com)

Sigma SD1 Merrill

Note: Most of the material in this review was prepared using the 'original' SD1 rather than the 'Merrill' model. Sigma assures us that the two cameras are identical in all practical respects, and we've verified this in key areas of image quality, speed...

Last week ; Just posted: Pentax MX-1 Preview Samples

Extremely slow file write speeds, with erratic control behaviour while writing ; Poor image quality at high ISO, with green and purple colour blotching in shadows ; Evaluative metering somewhat prone to highlight clipping ; Overly-conservative...

The SD1 is a non-frills SLR with a very basic feature set that offers exceptional image quality at low ISOs (100-400). However it's let down by slow file write times and erratic control behaviour during this process. High ISO image quality is...

Apr, 2012

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Expert review by: (digitalcamerareview.com)

Sigma SD1 Merrill Review

The Sigma SD1 Merrill is a DSLR produced by Sigma Corporation, a well-known Japanese firm that specializes in creating lenses for other camera manufacturers. However, Sigma also produces digital cameras, such as the DP2 Merrill that was recently...

Excellent build quality ; Useful quick-set menu ; Excellent image quality

AF problems in low light ; Frequent writing to the memory card ; Lacks video, live view, top LCD

The Sigma SD1 Merrill is a contradiction. It's a well-constructed DSLR with good ergonomics, a useful quick-set menu and great image quality thanks to its use of Foveon technology. However the camera's performance is hampered by auto focus problems in...

Feb, 2013

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Expert review by: Kevin Ames (layersmagazine.com)

Sigma SD1 Merrill

The SD1 Merrill is practically moiré-proof, making it a great choice for shooting fashion where detail counts and high-frequency patterns abound.

Medium-format color and resolution at a DSLR price

Doesn’t offer live view or video capture capabilities

Note: As a matter of full disclosure, I’m one of four Sigma Pros. I also shoot Canon 1Ds Mark III and 5D Mark II cameras.

Jul, 2012

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Expert review by: George Schaub (shutterbug.com)

SIGMA SD1

The new Sigma SD1 uses a new Foveon sensor with a nominal resolution of 14,8 MP which is referred to by Sigma as nearly a 46 MP resolution (nominal resolution x 3 color channels RGB). The new camera has a lot of professional features. The SD1 is...

Excellent crisp and clear, richly detailed images ; Very good handling system (two mode dials, two setup dials and many function buttons)

Very long time required for processing and saving raw images (55 MB per image) ; Very high noise results in higher ISO speed settings (higher than ISO 1600) ; No live preview on LCD screen, no video capabilities

Sep, 2011

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Consumer review by: (amazon.com)

Amazon review summary for the Sigma SD-1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 6 user reviews of the Sigma SD-1 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 1.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.5/5 for other products on Amazon.com.

0% of reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2013

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Consumer review by: Reinhard Steiner (amazon.com)

Do not buy at this price!!!

Prices have gone down cosiderably. In Australia there are special offers for the SD1 Merrill for just 1999.- AUD!!! Before buying, you have to compare. Have a look at the Sigma Homepage, for the latest pricing!!! This rating is for the price, not for...

Apr, 2012

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Consumer review by: Reinhard Steiner (amazon.com)

Do not buy at this price!!!

Prices have gone down cosiderably. In Australia there are special offers for the SD1 Merrill for just 1999.- AUD!!!

Apr, 2012

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Consumer review by: Whatever (amazon.com)

Don't pay $3300 for this camera

Whoever this Roberts LP guy is, he's overcharging $1000 for this camera. Look elsewhere. The MSRP is $2300 not $3300.

Mar, 2012

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Consumer review by: Michael Jardeen "Neroon" (amazon.com)

Pricing has changed and model and changed

This camera has been changed to the 'SD1 Merrill'. The pricing has gone down to less than 1/3 of the original price. The problem with this ad is that it is for the original release which was overpriced beyond all imagination. As of my writing there are...

Feb, 2012

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