Sigma DP2s and DP1x: Sense and sensor ability

Sigma has added to its line-up of supersized-sensor-sporting compact cameras with the DP1x and DP2s.

Both cameras pack a giant 14-megapixel, 20.7 by 13.8mm three-layer Foveon sensor. Individual photodiodes on the surface of the sensor -- the pixels in megapixels -- are 7.8 square micrometres. That's about the same size as a red blood cell, but is actually larger than the pixels on most compact cameras' sensors -- twice the size of the Canon PowerShot G9's pixels, for example.

When the sensor has collected light, the information is processed by the TRUE II chip, complete with ingenious backronym: Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine. Cute. Both shoot raw stills, a 3 frame per second burst mode, and QVGA video. They include a 64mm (2.5-inch) screen and hotshoe.

The two cameras differ in lens spec. The DP1x (pictured above), successor to the DP1, boasts a 16.6mm F4 lens, equivalent to 28mm on a 35mm film camera. The DP2s (pictured below), heir to the DP2, boasts a 24.2mm F2.8 lens.

Sigma also announced a selection of lenses at photography show PMA this week. With an eye on the future, a Sigma grand poobah told Digital Photography Review the company is planning its own mirrorless, interchangeable-lens camera system to compete with Micro Four Thirds, Samsung's NX and Sony's unnamed concept.