amweber21

Many don't realize it is Sigma's philosophy to do things differently. They make foveon cameras with some of the most unique shapes out there. Who else does? The fp series probably wouldn't exist if their full frame foveon didn't run into complications, but when deciding to use a bayer sensor they still wanted to do something to differentiate themselves. I applaud them for it. The "reviews" seem to go out of their ways to find complaints in the camera. Instead of thinking about the many ways to use it to it's potential, complain that you're "confused" (you don't sound very knowledgeable when you keep saying that). He appears to have tested rolling shutter in the worst possible mode at 1.3x crop (31ms) that does full readout resulting in the best quality with slower readout, but didn't mention the normal 1.0x (21.7ms) crop that has better rolling shutter than cameras like the S1H. Or the 1.24x crop RIGHT NEXT to the 1.3x crop that gets a 17.5ms readout. Quite decent. Sure, it'll worsen the quality, but there are options again for what you want to prioritize. Can't open the battery door with the plate you're using? Get a smaller plate. Can't grip it well? Put a grip on it! Worst camera menu system? Have you used a Sony camera? Don't like the idea of rigging it up to be very big? Then don't! Don't like the no memory media message without a card? Now you're definitely looking for reasons to complain... what were you planning on shooting without media? CinemaDNG is often spoke of as a negative because it's "too big". It is a clean, untouched, uncompressed, with maximum flexibility in post. Might as well as call any raw video a negative. It goes to one of the cheapest/gb storage medium you can buy without the need for a huge recorder with fans, power requirements, etc. And you still have both options of raw output also, but I wouldn't choose either over cinemaDNG unless you already have the recorder. Hardly any hybrid camera lets you record to a ssd, and I don't know any that still allow cinemaDNG. It's a huge plus. Comparisons to other cameras are getting out of control. Sure there are a couple things I wish it had that other offer, but I only got it because it offers things others don't.

The same can be said that a mirrorless camera is the same size as a cinema camera when it's all rigged up with needed accessories. But it's the modularity that lets you to be able to make it the size you need. Rigged up, a grip, and maybe an evf, is not needed. Plus you can have a full caged system that's the size of an unprotected body of another camera. For photography it's a little different but you still have some size options to play with. If size or video isn't a big deal to you there's probably not enough to attract you. Which I would understand.

I hardly ever bring my a7r or a7s with me. They have their uses but nothing special to me. Boring is the correct word. I can actually feel I would bring this everywhere. A locked down shot with near unlimited recording is it's strong point. The reliability of it in this use cannot be overstated. If you want to and have the storage you can do this oversampled 8/10/12bit cinemadng for 2 hours. None of this 20 minute crap. I suspect it's thermal design helps in stills also. Especially with high iso where heat is the enemy.

Buyer "I'm interested in this 2021 compact Toyota." Salesman "I can't recommend it for anyone. This used 2019 Lexus is larger, has AWD, dual climate control, GPS navigation, and other features you can't call it a car without. Oh, and it's still more expensive. The Toyota is undrivable"

That's true. You would think they would be able to "sell" a camera by pointing out what it can do different and what sets it apart though. Diversity is a big thing we need more of in the camera market.

You're correct. I jumped back and forth, and should have clarified strictly video usage in that comparison to DSLRs. It will be no full fledged stills camera for sure. It does have it's uses. I just don't like the "useless" labeling it's been getting.

This is where I'm at. A supplement to my S1. The S5 is nice, but not small enough and the same 24MP sensor. I want a high res option and the S1R doesn't offer any size advantage. I would probably use the fp L 75% for photography for that sensor, with 25% a more "controlled" video tool with the raw. I would probably only pair it with small primes so the 24-105 can stay on my S1. I think this is what the reviewers don't get. It's use is a great secondary camera. They have no problem to recommend video cameras as a B-cam, but a hybrid camera has to do it all or nothing. If it was an E-mount camera it would be a different story, but not a lot of people use multiple mounts and there's nothing like it on L mount. I've never heard some much regurgitated uses of the word "confused" in my life. It's not hard to make sense of it's strong points. (It makes more sense to me than the FX3) Sigma knows it can't compete with 1st party cameras, and it's not going to try. If it put a mechanical shutter, IBIS, dual card slots, evf, grip, larger battery like everyone wants, it would be the same size and price as a a7rIV for sure, but still wouldn't compete in AF and most other specs due to Sony's experience and R&D. Then it would really wouldn't make sense because it would be the lesser clone. But they took the approach that Sony or any brand would probably never go, and for that offers something unique. Sigma knows this is the future and by the next model or two have no need for mechanical shutters. I might upgrade then, but I think I can make due without flash and a bit of rolling shutter. Anyone in this game has been doing it for years. (DSLRs had no evf, IBIS, huge rolling shutter, sub-par continuous AF, but were far from "unusable" in video) I might go without the EVF too, not sure.. But since you can detach it, then it might be worth having for just those times you need it. I will wait on a few more reviews, and maybe an "open box" priced option, but I'm pretty sold on it fitting within my style of shooting.

I am curious the improvement in dynamic range of the fp L over the original. According to a review it was measured at 12.0, up from the 11.3 of the fp. This was in 12bit stills image, but I would think it should translate to the same in 12bit video. It is better than what the a7R IV is measured at and far cleaner at 12,800.

If you wanted both photo/video, the a7rIV will do better on the photo side but worse on video. 8 bit 4K30p and equal rolling shutter. If the fp L didn't offer raw video it wouldn't be very attractive to me, but it does, and in a method I don't need any recorder to get. I feel this is their closest 50/50 camera. The original fp being mostly video, and their next camera (when they figure out the foveon) will be ONLY photo. On the customizing part, I read it has added the ability to set custom buttons: "Most of the fp L’s buttons and the rear dial can be customized for quick access to a variety of settings" Here's a picture of the menu. I'm not sure if we can finally add iso to the rear dial, but I know you can the crop zoom function. Maybe someone knows?

It bothered me his whole segment. I'm sure they intentionally left it off just to complain about the handling.

Another thing I noticed. Watching the dpreview on it he compares a couple of the video options. The internal is better than the a7R IV, but the cinemaDNG in 10bit look to have the detail level of the R5's 4K HQ. In 12bit it line skips again and softens. This may be a strange balance of crop vs bit depth to figure out.

Not sure the need for HDMI off the EVF. So you can use the EVF instead of the 5-7" 1500nit screen with all the video assist tools you need? The HDMI is converted to make the EVF signal, is what it is. I wouldn't use any recorder anyway. 2TB SSD recording CinemaDNG is a way better method. Less than 100g vs 800-1000g on top of the little camera. You can edit directly off the drive or export through slimraw if you need to do it off the computer (you'd need to offload it anyway and there's hardly a time penalty). If it's apparently identical to downscaled 9.5K it sounds great. I suspect the down sampling, phase detection in the various crops will get sorted out in firmware. The important thing is it's capable of it. I'd rather choose this than a Blackmagic 6K camera. It is much smaller, better built, weather sealed, better battery life, better low light, better reliability (from my experience with Blackmagic cameras), better autofocus implementation, better lens compatibility, both rated at 13 stops of dynamic range (up from 12.5 of the original fp), same fixed screen, same absence of built in evf, same absence of IBIS, both not that great rolling shutter, both ideally would be rigged appropriately to meet the occasion. Here's the official dynamic range for given iso values:

You're right, and you would still have that option. I'd be one that would pay a lot extra to have it completely internal. If you only shot photos and compressed video, a small cfexpress is reasonable. A 128 gb is cheaper than the best v90 uhs-ii cards actually. A $800 2 tb is expensive but to get that in v90 if you want to do 8bit 4k internal would be 16x$200=$3200. So it scales way way better. And it's bound to get much cheaper over the next few years. Recorders are not getting much cheaper. Ninja V plus media and accessories is about 800 anyway. And again, you have that option if you want to go that way or already have it.

If it were HDMI I think AF would take a massive hit. I am not sure if it would be the case using USB data.. From the front image it appears there is only one cover so I think you will lose one or the other in the process.

I am mostly positive this is just a place to store the rubber flap you remove that covers the micro hdmi and pins. Its similar to the MU-11 hotshoe unit. The usb flap tucks behind (you can see it on the front view). There is obviously something on the side we can't see, i don't know if usb or hdmi.

All we need is CFexpress slot. Little pricey, but a 2tb or upcoming 4tb cards will hold hours worth.

I was under the assumption it just passes through the USB connection to the opposite side. I don't know if it needs it to operate. If it's just the hdmi connection and 2 pin power it should be easy to make a little relocation adapter for rigging, and no need for external power.

I'd really love to get the 12-35mm combo. Anyone hear anything when that is available for preorder?

Sitting next to the C300 makes me wish they would develop a handle for it like the C300's with dials and manual controls plugging into its remote port. I expect a whole slew of cages to help though.

Good review Andrew. This is both exciting and disgruntling to us DSLR shooters to see this kind of quality in a compact. You are right, there is hardly reason to get the compact mirrorless cams over this if you are new. Have you figured out the bitrate of the video?