Sigma SD14 First Impressions Review

 

The Sigma SD14 uses pentaprism optics, which generally provide brighter, more contrasty results than pentamirrors, which are a less-expensive alternative. Sigma says the viewfinder is 98 percent accurate both horizontally and vertically, and that it offers 0.9x magnification. The accuracy figure is impressive, but the magnification is not as high as we'd like. The diopter control is easy to set, and offers a wide adjustment range. The viewfinder shows various exposure information, flash status and focus confirmation. All the data are easy to see, even for glasses-wearers.

 

The Sigma SD14 has a 2.5-inch, 150,000-pixel LCD. Most mid-level DSLRs have higher resolution than that. In our first look at the camera, the view suffered from the lack of resolution – it wasn't very sharp, and the color was anemic and contaminated. Without being able to compare the LCD with recorded images on a computer, it's hard to say how bad the LCD is, but it does not seem as though the display can show the full resolution of a "14-megapixel" file. The display's brightness and contrast can be adjusted, and it may be that these controls could improve its performance significantly.

 

 

The small monochrome LCD on the top deck of the SD14 is sharp but lacks contrast. Its icons are very small, and may be hard for some users to read.

 

The SD14's flash flips up from the viewfinder hump, so it is centered over the lens, which minimizes shadows when the user shoots horizontals. It isn't motorized or spring-loaded – the user has to pull it up into position. The mechanism is simple, but it is not heavily-built. Sigma lists a guide number of 11 for the flash, and coverage for lenses down to 17 mm. The SD14 syncs at up to 1/180 of a second, while other mid-range cameras sync a half-stop faster, at 1/250.

 

Sigma's external flashes offer dedicated exposure control and wireless dedication. The camera itself won't act as a base unit – one of the compatible flashes has to be connected to the hot shoe to wirelessly control a second flash. That's how Canon does it, while Nikon integrates a wireless transmitter into several of its cameras, so there's no need for more than one flash.

The Sigma SD14 does not yet have a kit lens, though Sigma makes a number of lenses that are candidates. The prototypes were fitted with the 10-20mm f/4 – 5.6. It's an impressive lens, but an unlikely choice for a first lens purchase.

 

 

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