Sigma SD9 3.54MP Digital SLR Camera

The breakthrough Sigma SD9 high-definition, digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera contains the world's first image sensor to feature three layers of photo-detectors. The camera's SLR system can take advantage of over 30 different lenses, from 8mm circular fisheye to 800mm ultra-telephoto, plus two digital flashguns, power pack, and accessories.

Optics and Resolution
The Sigma SD9, powered by the Foveon X3 image sensors, captures red, green, and blue light at each and every pixel in three distinct layers. All other image sensors feature just one layer of photo-detectors, with just one photo-detector per pixel.

The SD9's three layers are embedded in silicon to take advantage of the fact that red, green, and blue light penetrate silicon to different depths, allowing full color to be measured at every pixel. This means that for every pixel on a Foveon X3 image sensor, there's actually a stack of three photo-detectors, forming the first and only full-color capture system.

Storage and Transfer
The SD9 uses CompactFlash memory cards and is compatible with CompactFlash Type I/II cards, which enables you to use IBM Microdrives as well. You can transfer the images from camera to computer with high-speed IEEE 1394 (also known as FireWire) and widely available USB (1.1) interfaces. The camera's video-output system can be switched between the PAL system (used in Europe) and the NTSC system (used in Japan and the U.S.).

Image Format
With the RAW data recording system of the SD9, it is possible to obtain high-picture definition and compact file size. The lossless compression system of RAW data eliminates image deterioration, and provides superior pictures, without sacrificing original image quality.

More Features
The SD9 is equipped with a large 1.8-inch, 130,000-dot low-temperature polysilicon TFT-LCD monitor with a white LED on the back panel, which displays images, menus, and histograms.

The SD9 is equipped with a "sport finder," so you can easily follow the situation outside the picture area. The area that is out of the image sensor's coverage range is marked by transparent light gray, to distinguish it from the active picture-taking area.

Dust and dirt entering through the lens mount of a digital camera can create serious defects in image quality. In order to prevent dust entering and adhering to the image sensor, the body mount of SIGMA SD9 is equipped with an integral dust protector.

Power, Size, and Contents
The SD9 comes equipped with four CR-V3 batteries and an AC adapter; you can also use four optional rechargeable NiMH batteries to power the camera. The SD9 measures 5.9 by 4.7 by 3.1 inches and weighs 28.3 ounces. Other standard accessories are a hand strap, CD-ROM with imaging software, USB cradle and cable, AC adapter for cradle, remote controller with LCD, and stereo headphone.

this isn't a true 3 MP camera. it is more like a 9 MP. but better.... there is no longer a reason to not go digital.

getting 3 colors per pixel means no interpolation. that in turn means sharper, truer color, photos without artifacts. in short, digital photos without the digital look. some of the photos taken with this camera are as good as medium format film images.

digital is not as good as film, it is now better.


The best image quality currently available at any price   July 12, 2003
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Given reasonable light, this DSLR bests all others in overall image quality with its 10.2M sensors and astounding sharpness. The best digital portrait camera in existence.

Don't be fooled by the camera's 3.5MP rating--that is non-interpolated--all other digital camera manufactures, including all DSLRs, list only interpolated resolutions as their MP rating. This inflates other cameras' MP rating by a factor of 3 times relative to the SD-9, since they count each Red, Green, and Blue sensor as a sigle "pixel." The SD-9 counts a full set of three sensors, one Red, one Green, and one Blue, as a single "pixel." Foveon.com claims the SD-9's image quality bests film for any given capture area, and approaches medium format film quality for enlargements up to 40 inches. Some report that sharp enlargements up to 8 feet on the long side are possible from the SD-9's interpolated 14MP output files. The camera's software is the best available. The SD-9 always works losslessly, so be sure to compare only RAW mode specs when comparing to other DSLR's operating speed and convenience of workflow.

Price is amazingly low for a DSLR with so many sensors, now below [$$$]...Hopefully Amazon.com will match them soon.

Not the best DSLR for low light--low light noise is a weakness. Still, can produce very fine low light/night pics with experience.


The best camera I ever used! Period!   December 7, 2003
Alex Vox (Winnetka, IL)
12 out of 15 found this review helpful

Well, this camera is something special and I have been compelled write this review because of couple of reasons. For the first, here the reasons. I read many bad , negative reviews of this camera and in the same time all those people who actually used it told how much they have being amazed by the picture quality it produces. So I've decided to try. The camera's images are not amazed they are stunned. The image quality is so high that it left me speechless for the first.
I'm just wandering about those who left negative reviews about it? The CNET review, that named it "mediocre SLR camera" is just a plain lie. In my opinion they giving point for those who gives more money, it's it. Another interesting "review", I read from Ken Rockwell (really gifted photo artist!, no questions!), who reviewed this camera without even try it!
So let start. First of all, it is NOT 3.5M camera. It is AT LEAST 10M camera, but megapixels in the traditional meaning just are not applicable here. This camera produces NEGATIVES. This negative is result of 10M photo elements. In the same time any of 6M cameras has HALF OF THEM GREEN and ONLY 25% red and another 25% blue. If we speak about "image quality" using this kind of "resolution" , this camera produces 14M images. In the same time the "real" resolution of those "6M" cameras stand about 1.5M, the everything else is a pure deceiving interpolation. I see that Cannon and NIkon, aren't happy to see this Sigma on the market, since it MUCH SUPERIOR to any camera they make they started to discredit it.
I do not say it is an ideal, but it close. Much closer than everything else that feels like SLR.
This Sigma produces PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES. I mean it. There's full range of amazing continuos beautiful halftones as you can see on the best reversible films. The pictures are spectacular.
Since it is real photographic tool, you come back to the true that photography and it is about light. Your raw pictures will normally produce 3000 by 4500 huge images that is not interpolating, they just "enlargements" from digital negative. It reviles as many details that ANY other camera can't produce. There are 14M cameras on the market, but they DO NOT MUCH this SIgma in the meaning of photography. I can blow my raw image 4 times more and it still looking better than those from 14M Canon. By the way, those image from Cannon show horrible color reproduction, especially in the red. For example two closely colored redish colors coming out the same!
This Sigma saves colors! It saves the real colors, not the estimations, not the interpolations but the real thing. Camera has just the everything that it has to have, including the high speed synchronization up to 1/6000 !!!
The lens from Sigma just as good(or better) as any other lenses from Nikon , Cannon or Minolta. Even cheap $100 tag slow glass is of very good optical quality. Yes/ for $100 you're getting slow lenses, but it almost distortion free and high contrast! But fro $300 you can get perfectly fast, noticeably bright zoom that at least as good as any lens from "leading companies".
Camera is very well constructed, it handles as it should be, the focusing system is fast, the screen is bright and clear, all controls location are very clever and logical. I like this camera and you're going to like it too. No boundaries anymore. You can print image as large as you need, no questions. In two, three years Foveon will overcome. I


amazing picture quality   December 24, 2004
J. T. Brown (Albuquerque, NM United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

i have had this camera for almost 2 years now and am still in love with it. i use the EX series 15-30mm lens and there isn't a situation i have found where this camera doesn't kick the [...] of any other digital camera (except for maybe the new SD10). i have a friend with a Canon that cost a ridiculous $9,000 and her pictures look like junk in comparison. i recently took a photo i took with my SD9 at a canyon in new mexico and had it blown up to over 3 feet wide. of course, the file size is absolutely huge, but the print out is stunning. you cannot even see the pixels.
i love this camera. it is amazingy easy to use and the pictures come out wonderfully.


This camera is great..   December 27, 2002
Worldsense (Irvine, CA USA)
16 out of 18 found this review helpful

I got mine last week, and it's image quality is the best of any digital camera.

My only complaint is that for the price they skimped on the little things... Specifically one of the battery doors is poorly made (I broke it after inserting the batteries :-( )

But after shooting pictures almost continuously over the holidays, I have to say that the Sony 717 doesn't compare.

Lance