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First Look: dp0 Quattro

The fourth addition to the dp Quattro lineup, the dp0 Quattro, is the widest dp camera using a 14mm F4 lens. The dp0’s most unique feature is its wide F4 lens, which is a first for the Quattro series with the dp1 (19mm), dp2 (30mm), dp3 (50mm), all utilizing a 2.8 aperture. This camera was made for sweeping landscapes, cityscapes, architecture and anything that benefits from a wide perspective. Since the Foveon sensor is an APS-C, this camera equates to a roughly 21mm equivalence on a 35mm camera.

© 2015 Patrick Santucci | Aperture: f8 | iso 100 | Shutter speed: 1/125sec
© 2015 Patrick Santucci | Aperture: f8 | iso 100 | Shutter speed: 1/125sec

Out of the box, the lens is larger than all of the other cameras in the series, roughly about the size of the Sigma 60mm 2.8 DN. But, overall the camera system is actually pretty light and I have no issue adding any of these cameras into my camera bag when doing city walks or hikes. They really do not take up much room and they offer a unique addition to a camera kit. I find that when doing large prints, these cameras are the way to go.

© 2015 Patrick Santucci | Aperture: f5 | iso 100 | Shutter speed: 1/100 sec
© 2015 Patrick Santucci | Aperture: f5 | iso 100 | Shutter speed: 1/100 sec

Like all the dp Quattro cameras, the image quality coming from this dp0 is stunning. The newly designed lens matches well the super-resolution power of the sensor for detailed images with serious presence. Distortion on the 14mm lens is controlled impeccably well and image quality remains great wide open at F4. The AF speed is quick and using a 45MB/s card allows for quick processing. These files are rather large but it’s a tremendous amount of information being absorbed by the Foveon Direct Imaging sensor at each point in the image

© 2015 Patrick Santucci | Aperture: f18 | iso 100 | Shutter speed: 1/2 sec
© 2015 Patrick Santucci | Aperture: f18 | iso 100 | Shutter speed: 1/2 sec

 

When out shooting I usually put the aspect ratio to 16:9 but it is possible to shoot in 21:9, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 7:6 or 1:1 ratios. The dp0 Quattro, with its Foveon sensor, is renowned for great color images but many are just discovering that the Foveon sensor is exceptional for black and white work thanks to its panchromatic, stacked sensor array. Using Sigma Photo Pro, you can edit the X3F RAW files and there is even a dedicated mode for black and white processing.

© 2015 Patrick Santucci | Aperture: f10 | Shutter speed: 1/200sec | iso 100
© 2015 Patrick Santucci | Aperture: f10 | Shutter speed: 1/200sec | iso 100

Click here to learn more about Sigma Photo Pro and monochrome processing.

The dp0 Quattro is another great addition to the series. After shooting Foveon cameras for several years, the wide-angle perspective of the dp0 will have a permanent spot in my camera bag. If you are a photographer who is looking for pure image quality, the dp Quattro line is a must try.

Comments (1)
  1. Jesper Hansen says:

    Hi
    I have been wondering if Sigma is going to include dng format either in camera raw converter or in spp sowftware.
    I am curious to the sales numbers of the merrill and quattro series. Is it available? Is the any software developing company listed as subsidiary cooperation or is it all in house creation. Do you know why tgis strategy has been chosen.
    Regards Jesper

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