2012.02.23

SIGMA SD1 Merrill scheduled to start shipping at the end of this month.

The Sigma Corporation (CEO:Kazuto Yamaki) is pleased to announce the new release of SIGMA SD1 Merrill lens kit which comprises the SIGMA SD1 Merrill, the latest high resolution and high image quality digital SLR camera featuring a 46 megapixel (4800 x 3200 x 3 layer) Foveon X3 direct image sensor (generation-name “Merrill”) and the SIGMA 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM.

The SIGMA SD1 Merrill is the flagship model which incorporates a full-color Foveon X3 direct image sensor (generation-name “Merrill”). It adopts a lightweight yet solid magnesium alloy body along with buttons and connected parts sealed with O-rings, enhancing the durability as well as preventing dust and water from getting inside the camera. “Dual TRUE II” and DDR III ensure the high speed processing of images without lowering the quality. The 46 mexapixel (4800×3200×3 layers), the world’s only full-color sensor, ensures outstanding resolution and natural rendering with rich gradation as well as a three-dimentional feel.

The SIGMA 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM is a large aperture standard zoom lens which incorporates Sigma’s efficient OS function. This system offers the use of shutter speeds 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. This lens has a compact construction with an overall length of 91.8mm (3.6”). Two FLD glass elements and three aspherical lenses provide excellent correction of all types of aberrations. This lens has superior peripheral brightness and provides sharp and high contrast images even at the maximum apertures.

About the generation-name “Merrill”
The Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor uses technology originally developed by the late Dick Merrill (1949-2008), a brilliant engineer and talented photographer. This revolutionary image capture system reflects both the artistic and technological sides of Merrill’s personality. As an expression of Sigma’s passion for photography and in honor of Dick Merrill’s genius, we have named the latest generation of the Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor the Foveon Merrill.

SIGMA 19mm F2.8 EX DN

SIGMA SD1 Merrill
17-50 mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM LENS KIT

UPC Code : 00-85126-92881-0

SIGMA SD1 Merrill Body

UPC Code : 00-85126-92876-6

[SIGMA SD1 Merrill Product Summary]

46 megapixel. 23.5×15.7mm Full-color Foveon X3 Merrill sensor
The 23.5×15.7mm full-color Foveon X3 direct image sensor (Generation name “Merrill”), featured in the SIGMA SD1 Merrill, incorporates 46 effective megapixels (4,800×3,200×3 layers) and 44 recording megapixels (4,704×3,136×3 layers). The Foveon X3 direct image sensor captures all primary RGB colors at each and every pixel location with 3 layers, ensuring the capture of full and complete color. Since color moiré is not generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required, meaning light and color are captured by the 46 megapixel 23.5×15.7mm full-color X3 Merrill sensor with a three-dimentional feel.

Dual TRUE II image processing engine
The SIGMA DP1 Merrill incorporate a dual “TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II” image processing engine dedicated to Foveon X3 direct image sensor, and it improves the processing speed and overall quality of the final image. By incorporating two TRUE II processors, Sigma’s unique image-processing algorithm provides high resolution power and reproduces high definition images with richly graduated tones as well as a three-dimentional feel.

Advanced DDR III buffer
To handle large volumes of color data at high speed, the SD1 Merrill uses DDR III buffer memory technology, which delivers class-leading performance. The SD1 Merrill features a continuous shooting speed of 5 frames per second and can capture up to 7 RAW images per sequence in continuous shooting mode.

CF card
The SD1 adopts the TYPE I CF Card. This camera is compatible with UDMA enabling fast processing of large amounts of data.
* It is not possible to use Microdrives and TYPE II CF cards.

Intuitive user interface
The improved user interface provides intuitive operation. Aperture and shutter speed can be changed by their own dials. The functions such as exposure compensation button and exposure mode button are on top of the body for quick access. A Quick Set (QS) menu lets you easily change commonly used functions. To display the QS menu, simply press the QS button. QS menu 1 is for ISO setting, flash mode, metering mode and AF mode; QS menu 2 offers white balance, image quality, image size and color mode.

Magnesium body
The Sigma SD1 Merrill adopts a lightweight yet solid magnesium alloy body designed to withstand rough use and shocks in harsh conditions.

Splash proof design
Buttons and connected parts sealed with O-ring prevent dust and water from getting inside the camera body, which makes it possible to support professional’s severe usage at a high level.

Pentarism viewfinder
The SD1 Merrill features a pentaprism viewfinder with 98% (vertical and horizontal) coverage, 0.95x magnification and an 18mm eye point to make it easy to see, as eye-friendly viewfinder is an important element for SLR cameras. Diopter adjustment is provided over a range of -3 to +1.5 dpt.

Four metering modes
The SD1 features 77-segment Evaluative Metering, Center Weighted Average Metering, Center Area Metering and Spot Metering.Exposure can be manually adjusted to suit your needs. When difficult lighting conditions make appropriate exposure unclear, auto bracketing lets you take a sequence of shots of the same subject at three or five different exposure levels. Bracketing can be set in 1/3EV increments up to ±3EV(3levels) or ±1.7EV(5 levels).

11 point twin cross sensor
The autofocus system features an 11 point twin cross sensor. The shifted twin cross type sensor improves AF accuracy. The AF point can be selected automatically or manually.

77-segment AE sensor
The SD1 Merrill features a 77-segment AE sensor using advanced AE algorithms to improve exposure accuracy. Exact control coordinated with the 11 AF points achieves accurate exposure even in difficult lightning conditions.

Dust Protector
Most digital SLR cameras are vulnerable to dust entering the body. If dust and dirt adhere to the image sensor, it may appear in the photos. The lens mount of the SD1 Merrill is equipped with a dust protector and the area around is sealed to prevent dust from entering the body. Even in the unlikely event of dust adhering to the image sensor, the dust protector can be removed easily for sensor cleaning.

Focal Plane shutter
The durable focal plane shutter mechanism has a life cycle of over 100,000 exposures and dramatically reduces generation of dust. The photographer can enjoy taking pictures with confidence that the image sensor is clean and protected from dust or dirt originating inside or outside the camera.

Two-motor system
Using a two-motor system with dedicated motors for mirror-drive and shutter charge reduces the vibration of mirror movement, thereby preventing camera shake. A mirror lock-up mechanism prevents further vibration when the shutter is released. Preventing camera shake is especially important for macro photography and when using ultra-telephoto lenses.

Noiseless image processing
ISO sensitivity can be selected from 100 to 6400. The SD1 Merrill captures light effectively and ensures noiseless image processing. The image sensor provides high definition with rich, graduated tones.

Large, highly visible 3.0” TFT color LCD Monitor
The SD1 Merrill camera features a 3.0 inch TFT color monitor which ensures a great visibility even outside in the daytime. This approximately 460,000 pixel resolution LCD monitor benefits from a wide viewing angle, making it easy to capture detail and to check focusing and composition.

Built-in flash with 17mm angle of coverage
The Sigma SD1 Merrill camera’s built-in flash has a guide number of 11 to cover a 17mm lens angle (equivalent to 25.5mm on a 35mm camera). The built-in flash can be synchronized to a shutter speed of up to 1/180 sec. The S-TTL automatic exposure system enables control of advanced flash photography.

SIGMA Photo Pro (supplied)
The supplied image processing software, “SIGMA Photo Pro”, converts RAW data quickly and easily. It renders the full, 46 megapixel data. While looking at photographed images, it is possible to reder desired photographic expression by moving the slider from side to side. It incorporates functions such as a loupe, exposure pickr, print, JPEG conversion, and batch white balance settings.

Dedicated BP-21 lithium-ion battery
The dedicated BP-21 lithium-ion battery is supplied as standard with the SD1 Merrill. It takes about 150 minutes to fully charge with the supplied BC-21 battery charger. The optional SAC-4 AC adapter lets the Sigma SD1 Merrill run on AC power from a wall socket.

Optional lenses
The SD1 Merrill can be used with over 40 Sigma lenses such as ultra-wide, ultra-telephoto, macro and fisheyes which adopt the latest technology such as the FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, SLD glass, Aspherical lenses, Sigma’s own unique Optical Stabilizer function, Hyper Sonic Motor and Sigma’s Super Multi Layer Coating. They meet the various and demanding requirements of all types of photographers.

[SIGMA SD1 Merrill : Major Specifications]

Format Interchangeable lens SLR camera
Lens Mount SIGMA SA bayonet mount
Compatible Lenses SIGMA SA mount interchangeable lenses
Angle of View Equivalent to approx. 1.5 times the focal length of the lens (for 35mm cameras)
Image Sensor Foveon X3® direct image sensor (CMOS)
Image Sensor Size 23.5×15.7mm
Pixels Total Pixels 48MP, Effective Pixels 46MP (4,800×3,200×3 layers)
Aspect Ratio 3 : 2
Storage Media Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Still Image Format Exif 2.3, DCF 2.0
Recording Mode Lossless compression RAW data (12-bit, High, Medium, Low), JPEG(High, Medium, Low)
File Size / Still RAW High   4,704×3,136×3 (Approx. 45MB)
Medium   3,264×2,176×3 (Approx. 24MB)
Low   2,336×1,568×3 (Approx. 12MB)
JPEG High Fine 4,704×3,136 (Approx. 10MB)
Normal 4,704×3,136 (Approx. 5.6MB)
Basic 4,704×3,136 (Approx. 4.2MB)
Medium Fine 3,264×2,176 (Approx. 5MB)
Normal 3,264×2,176 (Approx. 2.7MB)
Basic 3,264×2,176 (Approx. 2MB)
Low Fine 2,336×1,568 (Approx. 2.5MB)
Normal 2,336×1,568 (Approx. 1.4MB)
Basic 2,336×1,568 (Approx. 1MB)
Continuous shooting speed High:5 frame/sec. , Medium:6 frame/sec. , Low:6 frame/sec.
Continuous buffer High:Max. 7 frames, Medium:Max. 14 frames, Low:Max. 14 frames
Interface USB(USB2.0), Video Out (NTSC/PAL)
White Balance 8 types (Auto, Daylight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash and Custom)
Color Mode 7 types (Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Portrait, Landscape, B&W, Sepia)
Viewfinder Typ Pentaprism SLR viewfinder
Viewfinder Frame Coverage 98% vertical, 98% horizontal
Viewfinder Magnification 0.95x (50mmF1.4 – ∞)
Eye point 18mm
Diopter Adjustment Range -3.0 dpt – +1.5 dpt
Auto Focus Type TTL phase difference detection system
AF Point 11 points twin cross sensor
AF Operating Range EV -1 to +18 (ISO100)
Focus Mode Single AF, Continuous AF (with AF motion prediction function), Manual
AF Point Selection Automatic Selection, Manual Selection
Metering Systems 77 segment Evaluative Metering, Spot Metering, Center Area Metering, Center-Weighted Average Metering
Metering Range EV 1 to 20 (50mm F1.4 : ISO100)
Exposure Control System [P] Program AE (Program Shift is possible),[S] Shutter Speed Priority AE,[A] Aperture Priority AE, [M] Manual
ISO Sensitivity ISO100,200,400,800,1600,3200,6400
Exposure Compensation ±3 EV (in 1/3 stop increments)
Auto Bracketing Three or Five frames (in 1/3 steps, Appropriate Exposure-Under Exposure-Over Exposure)
Shutter Type Electronically Controlled Focal Plane Shutter
Shutter Speed 1/8000 – 30 sec.,Bulb (up to 30 sec. With Extended Mode: 2 min.)
Flash Connectivity Hot shoe (contact X synchronization at 1/180 sec. or less, with dedicated flash linking contact)
Built-in Flash Manual Pop-up Built-in flash, GN11 (17mm lens angle covered)
LCD Monitor Type : TFT color LCD monitor, Monitor Size : 3.0″, LCD Pixels : Approx. 460,000
Reviewing Images Single frame display, Multi display [9 frames],Zoom, Slide Show
LCD Monitor Language

English / Japanese / German / French / Spanish / Italian / Chinese (Simplified) / Korean / Russian / Nederlands / Polski / Português / Dansk / Svenska / Norsk / Suomi

Power Li-ion Battery Pack BP-21, Batterry Chager BC-21,AC Adapter SAC-4 (optional)
Dimensions 145.5 mm/5.7″ (W) × 113.5 mm/4.4″(H) × 80.0 mm/3.1
Weight 700g/24.7oz. (without battery and card)
Accessories

• Li-ion Battery BP-21, • Battery Charger BC-21, • USB Cable, • Video Cable,• Neck Strap • Eye Cap, • Body Cap, • Eyepiece Cap,• SIGMA Photo Pro Disc, • SD1 Merrill Instruction Manual

* The appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.

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  • SIGMA SD1 Merrill scheduled to start shipping at the end of this month.