Sigma UK are attending Focus on Imaging 2009 in Birmingham at the NEC, and I took a wander down to see what's new. The stand was packed as ever on a Sunday with excellent Focus attendance on this first day, and getting to see what was on display was a bit tricky - but worth it!

 Here's the stand:

The big news is, of course, the SD15 and DP2 models which are due to be launched this year. Whilst the SD15 is a non-functional prototype for display, the DP2 - whilst still a pre-production unit with incomplete firmware - was made available for me to have a quick run through of the features. With some minor revisions to the mechanical/physical design of the DP1, the DP2 is more than just a second focal length for the range; read below for more. 

Sigma UK's team was on hand to demonstrate and assist with the lens range, along with special offers on accessories; Jacob's are offering the DP1 at £399 during the show.

And that's all for Focus this year...

 Well, apart from a few shots of the DP2 along with some new information about the specification. Since this was a pre-production model I'm not able to give proper figures or even verdicts on performance, but I am happy to say that currently the menu structure is visibly improved and more comprehensive, the QS button works well, the manual focus wheel has been nicely firmed up and the shot-to-shot speed on single mode was definitely snappier - my opinion, not scientific or tested impression, is that the DP2 feels about 20% faster with this unfinished firmware. Card speeds weren't appropriate for testing since the camera isn't at production status; even if I were allowed to test it I wouldn't report the results.

Certainly even at this early stage I feel anyone who is comfortable with the DP1 and looking forward to the new focal length will be very happy with the DP2. 

Here's the DP2 pre-production model.

And with lens retracted.

The new QS button allows rapid access to four selected functions in a similar manner to the SD14, however the menu overlays the viewfinder image rather than being a dedicated screen. A series of squares indicates how many options each parameter has. 

Now, the eagle-eyed might have noticed that top menu option there. I wonder what that setting might be...

3200 ISO - quite a step up in terms of stated range for any Sigma camera - a definite move up from the 800 ISO specifcation of the DP1.

There's now a graphic startup/shutdown screen.

Physically the DP1 and DP2 are nearly identical but the revisions to the DP1's grip made on the DP2 are clear when they're side by side. The DP2's larger thumb rest area will no doubt be welcomed by many users.

 From the front or above, there's nothing in it, only the repositioning of the Setup menu to the program dial and the different lens, obviously.

And the DP1 continues to be of interest - with many visitors to the show aware of the Foveon sensor's benefits and the unique position in the marketplace of the little Sigma.

RichardK reporting for SigmaUser.eu from Focus on Imaging - 22nd February 2009.