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The SD14 from Sigma boasts many improvements over the SD10.
As the model number would suggest, capture resolution is up from 10 to 14 megapixels, but there’s a lot more to the SD14 than a simple boost in image resolution.
It has a more compact, though still rather chunky, case along with improved menu control, built-in flash, rechargeable Li-ion battery, 2.5in LCD to the rear and a larger illuminated top-mounted status panel. It’s also considerably faster in operation.
With the SD14, Sigma has finally added Jpeg support. It may seem incredible that a digital SLR could have been sold that does not take Jpegs, but Sigma digital SLRs are all about shooting in Raw mode - and this is where the SD14 comes into its own.
A full-size image from the SD14 measures only 2,640x1,760 pixels. A quick calculation reveals that is equivalent to only 4.3 megapixels, which is a far cry from the camera’s claimed 14-megapixel resolution.
This discrepancy is due to the way the image is captured. In conventional digital cameras, each pixel is capable of recording shades of only one colour – red, blue or green. The resulting Raw image is therefore a mosaic of coloured squares that must be processed into a full-colour image.
For each single-colour pixel, the remaining two colours must be interpolated from the surrounding area to give the pixel its final full-colour appearance. This means that in a standard digital camera, two thirds of the colour information was never captured at all, it has effectively been ‘made up’ by the camera.
The SD14’s Foveon sensor captures all colours with each pixel, there’s no mosaic to deal with, and no need to interpolate any data. Therefore all of the colour information in the resulting image was actually captured by the sensor. Freedom from interpolation also reduces the requirement for optical filtering - a process that reduces image detail.
In terms of the volume of data captured with each shot, the SD14’s images are therefore equivalent to that of a 14-megapixel camera; the difference being that the SD14 captures much more colour information with each pixel – although far fewer pixels are present in the final image than with a conventional digital camera.
To make the best of the Raw image files, you’ll need to use Sigma’s Photo Pro 3 software, which lets you tweak your images using a simple toolbar containing a number of sliders and simple controls. This updated version offers enhanced image processing, direct printing from Raw files and an overhauled user interface.
With the control toolbar you can quickly make adjustments that vastly improve the appearance of your photographs, using a few simple sliders.
Sigma Photo Pro 3 can be seen as the darkroom side of the photographic process, although you can switch to auto mode or even shoot in Jpeg. It’s not until you explore your images in the software that you really get to see the amount of information the SD14 has captured.
If you’re don’t have the time or the inclination to get your hands dirty in a virtual darkroom, there’s a simple Auto button that will make a pretty good job of developing your image for you – you can then either leave the image as it is, or make some easy adjustments from that point.
If you don’t want to deal with Raw images there’s little point in buying the SD14, but if you’re into processing your images you’ll be amazed at what it has to offer – and this is really the whole point of the camera.
The SD14 is far from being the perfect SLR. While it offers many improvements over the SD10 it still has its shortcomings. We found the five-point autofocus to be a little slower than on some competing cameras and, despite the dedicated focus lamp, the auto-focus sometimes took a while to lock when shooting with the flash.
In continuous shooting mode it’s also limited to a burst of only six frames at the highest resolution in Raw mode– although these are at a reasonably quick 3fps (frames per second). These files are created using lossless compression and weigh in at between 9MB and 16MB each, so the buffer can take a little while to clear after shooting a burst of photos.
In terms of control, the SD14 is rather simple when compared to its peers. Where competitors from companies such as Canon and Nikon have menus laden with custom options and modes, the SD14 takes a decidedly back-to-basics approach. Shooting modes consists of Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual – and that’s it.
To its credit, the camera’s simplicity also makes it very easy to use. Its
four-way cursor pad gives you quick access to resolution, ISO, quality and white
balance settings, leaving you more time to spend looking through the viewfinder,
which delivers a pleasingly large and bright image.
Eight-segment, centre area and centre-weighted metering modes are provided along
with auto-bracketing and exposure compensation in 1/3 EV steps.
One area where the SD14 trounces its predecessor is in image noise. Push an SD10 up to the higher settings and images very virtually unusable. The SD14, however, fares rather better, producing very serviceable pictures right up to ISO 800. A semi-hidden extended mode lets you shoot at ISO 1600, where there’s certainly a fair amount of noise, but images are still useable after some image processing.
We had a few difficulties with the supplied software. It’s certainly easy to use, but also very slow. Even on a fast system with 2GB of Ram there’s plenty of waiting around for it to process images. We also suffered some intermittent problems where images would not save. Re-starting the software usually, but not always, cured this.
So while the SD14 isn’t for everyone, its sensor technology, good build quality and ease of use make it an exciting creative tool for keen enthusiasts and those who want full control and a film-like response.
Most importantly, the image quality from the SD14 at its best is simply superb. It’s right up there with the best you can get from digital SLRs today and capable of producing stunning, professional results, albeit without some of the advanced features found on top of the range professional cameras.
See also:
Fujifilm skips a model number and presents a portrait photographer’s dream 26 Apr 2007
Diminutive digital SLR plays to the strengths of the format 07 Feb 2007
Entry-level SLR with minimal complexity but plenty of creative control 07 Feb 2007All Digital Cameras Tags: Digital SLR
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