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Sigma SD10

Sigma's digital SLR uses Foveon's latest "X3" sensor technology to boost ISO and reduce image noise.

<<Reference: Datasheet :(Previous) | (Next): SD10 Sample Images>>

SD10 Photo Gallery!

Review First Posted: 10/26/2003

A note from Mike Tomkins, News Editor and sometime Gallery Photographer Extraordinaire: When Dave first received the SD10, I offered to lend a hand with the gallery photographs because I wanted to see how the camera handled and what it could do. The original SD9 was an interesting model, but not one I felt I could consider for myself because I do like long-exposure / night photography and didn't feel I could live with the shutter and ISO limitations. The SD10 aims to solve these, and the allure of the Foveon sensor attracted me.

Over a couple of days, I took some pictures at several locations around the Atlanta area which I think are quite pleasing. I tried where possible to choose subjects that I felt would challenge the SD10 - for example shooting at a fairly high ISO in the low light conditions of the Fuqua Orchid Center at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The images can speak for themselves, but I found the SD10 a rather well-behaved camera for the most part, the only particular difficulty I had being that of a rather inconsistent white balance performance. More on that later, though - for now, enjoy the gallery!

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG09959s.jpg YIMG09959adj.jpg
Size 3785.5 KB 3980.7 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. 0
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/200
Aperture Value F5.6 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 50mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A 0.0
Contrast N/A +0.5
Shadow N/A -0.8
Highlight N/A -0.2
Saturation N/A +0.2
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A -0.3
Color Adjustment N/A 3M+8Y

 

 

  Raw Adjusted
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Size 2506.4 KB 2560.4 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. +0.7
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/250
Aperture Value F4.5 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 105mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A 0.0
Contrast N/A +0.5
Shadow N/A -0.8
Highlight N/A -0.5
Saturation N/A +0.2
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A -0.2
Color Adjustment N/A 1M+5Y

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG09977s.jpg YIMG09977adj.jpg
Size 2754.2 KB 2940.3 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. 0
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/200
Aperture Value F7.1 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 29mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A 0.0
Contrast N/A +0.4
Shadow N/A -0.5
Highlight N/A -0.4
Saturation N/A 0.0
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.2
Color Adjustment N/A 1M+4Y

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG09983s.jpg YIMG09983adj.jpg
Size 3420.4 KB 3636.5 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. 0
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/250
Aperture Value F6.3 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 50mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A -0.2
Contrast N/A -0.1
Shadow N/A -0.7
Highlight N/A -0.7
Saturation N/A +0.4
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.1
Color Adjustment N/A 1M+1Y

 

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10004s.jpg YIMG10004adj.jpg
Size 3565.8 KB 3947.8 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. 0
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/250
Aperture Value F8 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 20mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A 0.0
Contrast N/A +0.3
Shadow N/A -0.4
Highlight N/A +0.2
Saturation N/A +0.1
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.3
Color Adjustment N/A 2Y

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10017s.jpg YIMG10017adj.jpg
Size 3034.8 KB 3238.9 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. 0
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/320
Aperture Value F8 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 50mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A -0.4
Contrast N/A +0.3
Shadow N/A -0.3
Highlight N/A +0.1
Saturation N/A +0.1
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.3
Color Adjustment N/A 1Y

 

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10020s.jpg YIMG10020adj.jpg
Size 3512.9 KB 3699.9 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. 0
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/200
Aperture Value F5.6 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 50mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A -0.1
Contrast N/A +0.5
Shadow N/A -0.3
Highlight N/A -0.6
Saturation N/A -0.1
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.6
Color Adjustment N/A 1Y

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10028s.jpg YIMG10028adj.jpg
Size 2530.2 KB 2709.8 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. +0.7
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/400
Aperture Value F5.6 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 105mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A -0.6
Contrast N/A 0.0
Shadow N/A -0.3
Highlight N/A +0.2
Saturation N/A +0.3
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.3
Color Adjustment N/A 1C+1M

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10030s.jpg YIMG10030adj.jpg
Size 2784.1 KB 3066.7 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. -0.7
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/400
Aperture Value F5.6 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 105mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A +0.4
Contrast N/A +0.4
Shadow N/A -0.5
Highlight N/A -0.3
Saturation N/A -0.1
Sharpness +0.5 +0.0
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.5
Color Adjustment N/A 1M+3Y

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10036s.jpg YIMG10036adj.jpg
Size 2616.6 KB 3017.9 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. -0.7
ISO Setting 800 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/250
Aperture Value F4.5 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 105mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A +0.3
Contrast N/A -0.3
Shadow N/A -0.1
Highlight N/A 0.0
Saturation N/A +0.3
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.3
Color Adjustment N/A 1C+2Y

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10047s.jpg YIMG10047adj.jpg
Size 2241.5 KB 2119.1KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. 0
ISO Setting 800 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/320
Aperture Value F5.6 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 105mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A +0.0
Contrast N/A -0.2
Shadow N/A +0.5
Highlight N/A +0.3
Saturation N/A +0.5
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A -0.5
Color Adjustment N/A 1Y

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10050s.jpg YIMG10050adj.jpg
Size 3047.3 KB 3310.7 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. 0
ISO Setting 800 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/250
Aperture Value F5 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 105mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A -1.0
Contrast N/A +0.2
Shadow N/A +0.3
Highlight N/A -0.7
Saturation N/A +0.5
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +1.0
Color Adjustment N/A 6C+3Y

 

  Raw Adjusted
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Size 2667.8 KB 2462.5 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. -0.7
ISO Setting 800 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/160
Aperture Value F5.6 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 40mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A 0.0
Contrast N/A -0.2
Shadow N/A +0.5
Highlight N/A -0.1
Saturation N/A +0.5
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A -0.5
Color Adjustment N/A 1Y

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10056s.jpg YIMG10056adj.jpg
Size 3451.7 KB 3488.2 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. 0
ISO Setting 800 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/125
Aperture Value F5.6 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 20mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A -0.5
Contrast N/A -0.7
Shadow N/A -0.2
Highlight N/A +0.2
Saturation N/A +0.6
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.3
Color Adjustment N/A 1C+5M

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10066s.jpg YIMG10066adj.jpg
Size 2768.5 KB 2521.7 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. -0.7
ISO Setting 800 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/160
Aperture Value F5 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 50mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A -0.1
Contrast N/A -0.2
Shadow N/A +0.2
Highlight N/A -0.3
Saturation N/A +0.2
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A -0.4
Color Adjustment N/A 1C

 

  Raw Adjusted
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Size 2999.3 KB 3341.5 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. -0.7
ISO Setting 800 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/160
Aperture Value F5 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 50mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A +0.3
Contrast N/A -0.4
Shadow N/A -0.1
Highlight N/A -0.4
Saturation N/A +0.4
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.2
Color Adjustment N/A 3C+1M

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10072s.jpg YIMG10072adj.jpg
Size 2622.2 KB 2228.4 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. -0.7
ISO Setting 800 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/200
Aperture Value F5.6 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 50mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A +0.1
Contrast N/A -0.5
Shadow N/A +0.2
Highlight N/A -1.2
Saturation N/A +0.4
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A -0.8
Color Adjustment N/A 0

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10080s.jpg YIMG10080adj.jpg
Size 2973.1 KB 2895.4 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. 0
ISO Setting 800 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/125
Aperture Value F4.5 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 50mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A -0.1
Contrast N/A -0.4
Shadow N/A -0.7
Highlight N/A -0.3
Saturation N/A +0.2
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A 0.0
Color Adjustment N/A 0

 

In my introduction, I noted that I had some difficulty with inconsistent white balance from our near-production level SD10 digital SLR. Below, I've included a comparison to demonstrate what I mean by this (and also, to show that whilst perhaps frustrating, the problem isn't insurmountable and can be corrected fairly well in the excellent Sigma Photo Pro software). My general manner of shooting is to bracket like crazy - meaning that I'm forever taking multiple photos of the same subjects at intervals of only a few seconds apart. Since the SD10 white balance can be adjusted after-the-fact in Photo Pro, I left the camera set to Auto white balance - and on my return to the office, I noticed quite a few instances of photos taken with near-identical settings and framing yielding vastly different white balance adjustments.

For those of you interested in the settings for the original photos, since there's no easy way to fit them into the complex table below, both were taken as high resolution files at a focal length of 105mm in Program AE mode at ISO 800, using auto white balance, multi metering, single AF and Drive modes. Courtesy of the auto exposure bracketing feature on the camera, the -0.7EV file was 1/250 second at F4.5, whilst the 0EV file was 1/200 second at F4. This was the only setting difference on the camera between these frames, which were taken with near-identical framing and lighting within four seconds of each other.

 

 

  -0.7 EV 0.0 EV
Raw versions
Filename YIMG10039s.jpg YIMG10041s.jpg
Size 2790.3 KB 3052.9 KB
 
Adjusted versions
Filename YIMG10039adj.jpg YIMG10041adj.jpg
Size 3103.3 KB 3333.1 KB
 
Photo Pro Settings (for adjusted versions)
Exposure 0.0 -0.4
Contrast +0.5 +0.5
Shadow -0.2 -0.3
Highlight -0.3 +0.0
Saturation 0.0 -0.1
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light +0.4 +0.1
Color Adjustment 4C+1Y 1M+33Y (!)

 

Also, I've included two further photos that show common difficulties photographers come up against, and show off how Photo Pro can easily (in a matter of seconds) correct common problems. Both photos suffer from lens flare even though I use lens hoods religiously - mostly because I was shooting late in the day and with a very bright afternoon sun glaring low in the sky. The picture of the thatched roof at the Atlanta Zoo is the worst case, and I was surprised by how well it cleaned up in Photo Pro. The building photo taken at Underground Atlanta, meanwhile, showed a lesser degree of flare but demonstrated nicely how Foveon's new X3 Fill Light filter can bring a photo back to life that would otherwise end up being discarded. All in all, I think Photo Pro is one of the biggest reasons to consider buying the SD10. I'll be writing a commentary on the program shortly (I'd hoped to do so today, but time overtook me!) - so check our review soon for my more detailed thoughts...

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG09990s.jpg YIMG09990adj.jpg
Size 4073.0 KB 4898.7 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. -0.7
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/250
Aperture Value F5 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 105mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A -0.4
Contrast N/A +1.6
Shadow N/A 0.0
Highlight N/A 0.0
Saturation N/A +0.2
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.4
Color Adjustment N/A 1C+2M

 

  Raw Adjusted
Filename YIMG10014s.jpg YIMG10014adj.jpg
Size 2206.2 KB 2788.6 KB
 
Camera Settings
Exp. Mode Program Exp. Comp. -0.7
ISO Setting 100 White Balance Auto
Flash Off Shutter Speed 1/320
Aperture Value F9 Metering Mode Multi
Focus Setting AF-S Focal Length 22mm
Resolution High Drive Mode Single

Photo Pro Settings
Exposure N/A +0.5
Contrast N/A +0.4
Shadow N/A +0.2
Highlight N/A +0.3
Saturation N/A +0.1
Sharpness +0.5 +0.5
X3 Fill Light N/A +0.5
Color Adjustment N/A 0

 

 

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<<Reference: Datasheet | SD10 Sample Images>>

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