Thanks, Dustin. I have Sigma FP for video and I am very happy with it. I don't think I would buy Sigma FP L, as I already have a Sony a7r3 which I think is a better option for photography and they are the same price point.
The fp did have very good digital image stabilization when shooting video, didn't the fp L have that? It's only in compressed but it's there and works good. Sadly nothing in RAW, yes. I have the large handgrip on my SIGMA fp and I really like it, also there are excellent 3rd party hand grip. Using it the first time felt a bit strange because it works a bit different than other grips near the shutter, but it only took me few seconds to get used to it (letting the middle finger on the grip and not the edge of the camera) They only thing I really missed in the fp was an electronic viewfinder, but I got so used to the gigantic 2,5x magnification LVF that I'm not sure, if I'll get the EVF Most likely I will, but it's still a tough decision, the LVF is awesome. If it wouldn't block the display, that would be the best viewfinder that ever existed Also you haven't mentioned, that the camera goes down to ISO 6 and beside that you also haven't mentioned that there are two ways to use autofocus. There is the way you showed, but there is also the much more accurate most where you can choose your AF points freely, choose the AF point size and so on. And after having owned an a7R IV, at least in the SIGMA fp, I can say it is much more accurate. When shooting portraits with the 105mm F1.4 I can almost choose on which single hair I want to focus on. With the 105mm F2.8 Macro it shows that the AF is way more accurate and fine tuneable then at least with Sony cameras. But only for stills, the Video AF is pretty bad already in the fp and seem to not have improved with the fp L. Sadly, but I don't mind it that much
@@DustinAbbottTWI On the fp it is done by selecting a single point and then press the button on the back dial. It then opens an overlay window where the image is zoomed 8x with an crosshair.
Fujifilm went retro with the XT and the XPro lineup having created a passion and a cult like followers in the cropped sensor market. I"m sure Sigma is also moving away from the race in an already saturated full frame market. The FP lineup's minimalist design is now de rigueur in Japan, applying concepts of Wabi Sabi, of simplicity and serinity. The focus being on the "I", creating opportunities to add or remove parts as and when creativity arises. Using limitations as a source of inspiration. Thus the "I" series of compact lenses lend itself to the art of self expression. So what? So I'm buying one! Thanks for the review Dustin. Awesome.
I appreciate your work and this is of course a high quality review. I beg to differ your final thoughts on the fpL. Think this way Dustin. In this day and age, we have abundance of choice among very technically advanced, capable cameras for both still and video purposes. However, what Sigma trying to create in the fp lineup is something between a tool and a toy. Saying Sigma fpL lacks IBIS or mechanical shutter, high flash sync speed features is a bit like saying M10R can't autofocus, or Voigtlander 65mm F2 is a manual. It is what it is, reviewers tend to judge products from pure specs point of view and compare things that way. For landscape, Astro, cityscape, architecture purposes, fpL is certainly offering compactness and high image quality. The flexible crop mode is useful to utilize the best part of a lens without losing too much resolution and fov. Some lenses just have that sharp mtf50 curve fall off near the corners.
Hi Frank, thanks for the feedback, but the reason that I criticized the lack of IBIS is that it really compromised the identity of the camera (not from specs; from use). It should be a great compact platform to get video from, but the lack of stabilization means you need a tripod, gimbal, or stabilizer. The 61MP of resolution is easily compromised by camera shake for stills, too.
@@DustinAbbottTWI non moving subject photography is still huge, big enough for Sigma fpL to sell thousands and thousands of. Imagine one of the lightest tripod with 24f3.5 65mmF2 and maybe a sigma 100-400 on any hike, instead of Sony's equivalent gear. A bit like Gordon Murray said about lightweight car, first it was the engine gets lighter, then the cooling system gets lighter, you need less suspension to support the weight, or the lack of, narrower tyres, smaller brake calipers and disks. When you consider system as a whole, it makes a big difference. In camera terms they would be smaller lenses, smaller filters, lighter head and tripod, smaller camera bag. The limitation of no IBIS no mechanical shuttter is there by its design, but what I am trying to say, it is more like a choice rather than a fault. Even on RUclips they are plenty people still using 6x6 Hasselblad, Nikon FM2, Leica M6 and the likes of film era hero models. We wouldnt criticize their gear choice no EVF, no instant playback, no dynamic range or lack of high ISO.
Yea interesting, ibis can sometimes have undesirable effects on a gimbal so that might be the reason they kept it out? To keep it in line with the cine angle. It seems aimed and magic lantern users honestly the crop modes the fact its build on a cdng work flow. I think it might have a place in low key fashion, not high scale stuff but some insta content creation type stuff. I've seen a few reviews mention the price combined with the evf... but for a person on a budget I've already seen body only for under 2k....Still not sure about it but its interesting.
I could see this being a great pure landscape camera. Lack of IBIS and less than stellar AF wouldn't really impede you for that type of photography. You mentioned the lack of a grip but there is an accessory grip that is, in fairness, an additional purchase. As always, good review, sir.
@@DustinAbbottTWI I think the real attraction for me would be the 61Mpx sensor and the size and weight of the basic setup. Full frame mirrorless bodies with 50Mpx or higher are fairly limited as far as choice goes. Having said that, all the other choices at that level of resolution are better general purpose cameras in my opinion.
very strange camera. so small to a fault. but nice of sigma to experiment with different form factors and walk a different path than other camera companies
Thanks, Dustin. I have Sigma FP for video and I am very happy with it. I don't think I would buy Sigma FP L, as I already have a Sony a7r3 which I think is a better option for photography and they are the same price point.
That's fair.
The fp did have very good digital image stabilization when shooting video, didn't the fp L have that? It's only in compressed but it's there and works good. Sadly nothing in RAW, yes.
I have the large handgrip on my SIGMA fp and I really like it, also there are excellent 3rd party hand grip. Using it the first time felt a bit strange because it works a bit different than other grips near the shutter, but it only took me few seconds to get used to it (letting the middle finger on the grip and not the edge of the camera)
They only thing I really missed in the fp was an electronic viewfinder, but I got so used to the gigantic 2,5x magnification LVF that I'm not sure, if I'll get the EVF
Most likely I will, but it's still a tough decision, the LVF is awesome. If it wouldn't block the display, that would be the best viewfinder that ever existed
Also you haven't mentioned, that the camera goes down to ISO 6 and beside that you also haven't mentioned that there are two ways to use autofocus. There is the way you showed, but there is also the much more accurate most where you can choose your AF points freely, choose the AF point size and so on.
And after having owned an a7R IV, at least in the SIGMA fp, I can say it is much more accurate. When shooting portraits with the 105mm F1.4 I can almost choose on which single hair I want to focus on. With the 105mm F2.8 Macro it shows that the AF is way more accurate and fine tuneable then at least with Sony cameras.
But only for stills, the Video AF is pretty bad already in the fp and seem to not have improved with the fp L. Sadly, but I don't mind it that much
I went through the available focus methods and never saw an option for great precision.
@@DustinAbbottTWI On the fp it is done by selecting a single point and then press the button on the back dial. It then opens an overlay window where the image is zoomed 8x with an crosshair.
Hi Dustin, if you have to choose a camera mainly for landscapes,sony a7r4 or Sigma Fp - L ( with the same lenses) which one would you prefer?
I would personally prefer the R4 all day. It’s just a more functional camera.
Fujifilm went retro with the XT and the XPro lineup having created a passion and a cult like followers in the cropped sensor market. I"m sure Sigma is also moving away from the race in an already saturated full frame market. The FP lineup's minimalist design is now de rigueur in Japan, applying concepts of Wabi Sabi, of simplicity and serinity. The focus being on the "I", creating opportunities to add or remove parts as and when creativity arises. Using limitations as a source of inspiration. Thus the "I" series of compact lenses lend itself to the art of self expression. So what? So I'm buying one! Thanks for the review Dustin. Awesome.
Sounds like you are a perfect candidate for this camera, then.
That ad was actually pretty crisp! (I mean that in a good way :P) Gotta' miss when product placement was an artform.
I've tried to adopt that approach and not make the ad portion boring...
I appreciate your work and this is of course a high quality review. I beg to differ your final thoughts on the fpL. Think this way Dustin. In this day and age, we have abundance of choice among very technically advanced, capable cameras for both still and video purposes. However, what Sigma trying to create in the fp lineup is something between a tool and a toy. Saying Sigma fpL lacks IBIS or mechanical shutter, high flash sync speed features is a bit like saying M10R can't autofocus, or Voigtlander 65mm F2 is a manual. It is what it is, reviewers tend to judge products from pure specs point of view and compare things that way. For landscape, Astro, cityscape, architecture purposes, fpL is certainly offering compactness and high image quality. The flexible crop mode is useful to utilize the best part of a lens without losing too much resolution and fov. Some lenses just have that sharp mtf50 curve fall off near the corners.
Hi Frank, thanks for the feedback, but the reason that I criticized the lack of IBIS is that it really compromised the identity of the camera (not from specs; from use). It should be a great compact platform to get video from, but the lack of stabilization means you need a tripod, gimbal, or stabilizer. The 61MP of resolution is easily compromised by camera shake for stills, too.
@@DustinAbbottTWI non moving subject photography is still huge, big enough for Sigma fpL to sell thousands and thousands of. Imagine one of the lightest tripod with 24f3.5 65mmF2 and maybe a sigma 100-400 on any hike, instead of Sony's equivalent gear. A bit like Gordon Murray said about lightweight car, first it was the engine gets lighter, then the cooling system gets lighter, you need less suspension to support the weight, or the lack of, narrower tyres, smaller brake calipers and disks. When you consider system as a whole, it makes a big difference. In camera terms they would be smaller lenses, smaller filters, lighter head and tripod, smaller camera bag. The limitation of no IBIS no mechanical shuttter is there by its design, but what I am trying to say, it is more like a choice rather than a fault. Even on RUclips they are plenty people still using 6x6 Hasselblad, Nikon FM2, Leica M6 and the likes of film era hero models. We wouldnt criticize their gear choice no EVF, no instant playback, no dynamic range or lack of high ISO.
Yea interesting, ibis can sometimes have undesirable effects on a gimbal so that might be the reason they kept it out? To keep it in line with the cine angle. It seems aimed and magic lantern users honestly the crop modes the fact its build on a cdng work flow.
I think it might have a place in low key fashion, not high scale stuff but some insta content creation type stuff. I've seen a few reviews mention the price combined with the evf... but for a person on a budget I've already seen body only for under 2k....Still not sure about it but its interesting.
I could see this being a great pure landscape camera. Lack of IBIS and less than stellar AF wouldn't really impede you for that type of photography. You mentioned the lack of a grip but there is an accessory grip that is, in fairness, an additional purchase. As always, good review, sir.
That's fair, though I didn't love the add-on grip. For pure landscape work (at the right price), this could be a nice option.
@@DustinAbbottTWI I think the real attraction for me would be the 61Mpx sensor and the size and weight of the basic setup. Full frame mirrorless bodies with 50Mpx or higher are fairly limited as far as choice goes. Having said that, all the other choices at that level of resolution are better general purpose cameras in my opinion.
Can I adapt Canon EF lens mount to it with auto focus?
yes
Yes you can, though focus performance won't be at native lens levels.
thx @ Dustin.
You're welcome.
very strange camera. so small to a fault. but nice of sigma to experiment with different form factors and walk a different path than other camera companies
Agreed that it is an interesting experiment, but small to a fault is probably a good description.
awww cute cat
He is very cute!
first!
I guess you are...