sigma sd9

[SianZronG]

that comes around to.... $3.8k.... around a D60...

 

[Midnight]

Originally posted by SianZronG
that comes around to.... $3.8k.... around a D60...

I think it's more like S$3250 with GST. At least it's competitively priced compared with other current consumer D-SLR bodies.

 

[jeff chen]

Since this Sigma DSLR only accepts its own brand lens and the fact that Sigma has limited range c/w Nikon/Canon, isn't that a consideration when someone purchase this DC?

 

[mervlam]

Originally posted by Jed
What this means is, a "conventional" 6 million pixel camera actually only sees about 2 million red pixels. (Ignoring Bayer-bias to simplify calculations) And only 2 million green pixels, and only 2 million blue pixels.

Wrong! In a Bayer filter, in a group of four photodiode sites that sits 2 by 2, there is only one site sampling blue colour, another for red colour and two sampling green colour. Thus essentially in a 4 megapixel sensor, 1 million pixels sample only blue, 1 million pixels sample only red and two million pixels sample green (ie. typical Bayer sensors capture 50% of the green and 25% of the red and blue light.)

 

[Midnight]

Originally posted by mervlam
Wrong! In a Bayer filter, in a group of four photodiode sites that sits 2 by 2, there is only one site sampling blue colour, another for red colour and two sampling green colour.

Umm, I think that's why Jed said "ignoring Bayer bias".

 

[mervlam]

Originally posted by Midnight
Umm, I think that's why Jed said "ignoring Bayer bias".

You cannot ignore Bayer bias. That bias is there and is significant.

 

[Jed]

Yes, you are right that Bayer-bias cannot be ignored. Because it is important.

But I am not wrong in so far as, as Midnight has pointed out, I did specifically exclude it from the calculations.

The fact is I was trying to explain the why an X3 chip is superior to conventional imaging sensors that require colour interpolation. For someone who is not versed with the technicalities at hand, there really is absolutely no point served by confusing the mathematical calculations any more than necessary. My illustration gets the point across adequately and removes the need for mental acrobatics (notably you decided to switch to a 4mp; and you already understand how things work).

 

[rueyloon]

reading the review http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/SD9/SD9A.HTM

I'm kinda suprised about these......

1) "Resolution is indeed higher than one would expect from a 3.4 megapixel sensor, but not quite on a par with the current crop of 6 megapixel SLRs from Canon, Fuji, and...."

2) "noise level varying greatly as a function of color. In neutral grays and most colors, noise levels are only slightly higher than the best competing cameras such as the Canon D60 or Nikon D100........."

then where's the advantage of the X3 ?
when I first saw that billard table sample image I was pretty impressed.... not to say that I'm dissapointed or anything, but maybe we're reached the limit for "resonable usability" ?

 

[Jed]

The advantage really is in the fact that is it a 3.4mp image, which delivers more than the 3.4mp resolution from cameras that use colour interpolating, utilising Bayer or other colour interpolating methods.

The idea never was to compare a 3.4mp X3 chip with a conventional 6mp CCD/CMOS, although because that is what is on the market, those comparisons were natural.

The advantage of an X3 chip is basically to be taken on a pixel for pixel level. In other words, a 6mp X3 chip would knock the socks off a 6mp Bayer chip.

At the moment, the SD9 is a bit behind times, and aside from price, doesn't look like a great steal. However bear in mind that it was announced at roughly the same time as the Nikon D100 and Canon D60, and looked a very plausible competitor at the time. Coming half a year or more later than them has not helped its cause.

 

[mervlam]

i found an interesting website to help people understand how the Foveon sensor works compared to the Bayer filter.

http://www.foveon.net/X3_better.html

enjoy

 

[mervlam]

Originally posted by Jed
Yes, you are right that Bayer-bias cannot be ignored. Because it is important.

But I am not wrong in so far as, as Midnight has pointed out, I did specifically exclude it from the calculations.

The fact is I was trying to explain the why an X3 chip is superior to conventional imaging sensors that require colour interpolation. For someone who is not versed with the technicalities at hand, there really is absolutely no point served by confusing the mathematical calculations any more than necessary. My illustration gets the point across adequately and removes the need for mental acrobatics (notably you decided to switch to a 4mp; and you already understand how things work).

it believed that the mental acrobatics can be lessen with the provision of the URL I just gave. ;p