Sigma fp - The Specialist

The Sigma fp is currently the worlds smallest and lightest interchangeable lens mirrorless full frame. But this is quite a deceptive simplification, as K Madhavan Pillai discovers.

- K Madhavan Pillai

Trust Sigma to do things differently! Over the past decade, I have come to enjoy the company’s philosophy of designing and engineering cameras and lenses around specific, important functions, with the conviction to perhaps even sacrifice other aspects. The Sigma fp clearly follows this precept. I was fascinated to learn that the fp notation stands for ‘Fortissimo Pianissimo’— concepts from music theory, for powerful or loud (f), soft or subtle (p)—a reference to the capabilities—design, sensor, scalability and the colour science of the fp.

Features

The Sigma fp is the company’s first camera to move away from Foveon sensors, and use a back-illuminated 24.6MP Bayer sensor (allowing Sigma to develop the fp more conventionally, for speed, AF, and video). There is little that is conventional about the fp, though. Essentially, in my mind, there are three related sets of features of the fp that define the camera, and its potential user.

First, size, weight, modular design, and build. It is the smallest and lightest (422g with the battery) full frame body yet. Made of aluminium alloy for strength and heat conduction, the camera is highly weather resistant, and feels extremely sturdy. With appropriately weather-sealed lenses, the camera can withstand shooting in light rain or sandstorms. A large heat sink with vents separates the body and the LCD panel, with a coating that aids heat conduction, for long continuous videos (up to two hours). The body of the fp acts to dissipate heat.