Sigma FP2 camera body

Sigma FP2 body

The Sigma FP2 is a very small full-frame SLR camera with top-notch video capabilities. This is a major upgrade over the previous model's features and performance, but the original idea has not been changed: the smallest possible body and the best possible video quality.

The Cinema / Still switch on the top of the camera allows you to choose whether you are using a digital system with a 24.5 megapixel CMOS sensor or a cinema camera recording 12-bit 6K RAW video. Both modes have their own user interface. The autofocus is modern, based on phase detection and includes tracking and focusing based on objects, including people, dogs and cats, and now also birds with eye focus.

• Fast 24.5 megapixel full-frame sensor, partially stacked technology
• 6K 12bit Raw video recording directly to external disk
• 6K 60P Open Gate video recording directly to memory card
• 20FPS burst shooting (180 RAW images)
• Modern subject-detection autofocus
• Lightweight and durable metal body, dust and splash resistant
• Modular, with various viewfinders and mounting solutions available as accessories
• 70GB internal storage
• Director's viewfinder, so you can simulate film cameras and different settings

The image sensor is a new partially stacked one, i.e. somewhat the same technology as many competitors' models in the same segment. The benefit of this technology is the sensor's readout speed, about 12ms and without log mode up to 9ms. It helps with autofocus, continuous shooting and when taking photos because the camera does not have a traditional mechanical shutter. The fast readout speed is also visible as a smaller rolling shutter phenomenon in fast movements.

Sigma FP2 in video shooting

Like the original fp, this is a really interesting device for videographers. 6K resolution video can be achieved as Open Gate, i.e. video of the entire sensor's 3:2 area at 60P speed. The same material can be cropped to create horizontal or vertical video afterwards and the higher image area is also well suited for the use of anamorphic lenses, the desqueeze view can be found directly on the camera with 1.25x–2.0x factors. 4K 120P slow-motion videos can be achieved with cropping.

Internally, 10bit recording is possible and Leica's L-Log profile is also used, which according to Sigma has a dynamic range of up to 14.1 stops. 6K 30P raw video recording is possible via USB-C connection to external hard drives with ProRes RAW 12bit Standard and HQ settings. Bitrates are amazing, depending on the different settings, 725MB/s or 488MB/s.

Like film cameras, it also includes professional tools such as waveform, zebra and false color for precise exposure adjustment, and the exposure time can be set in shutter angle degrees.

Sigma is also courting film professionals with its Directors viewfinder feature, which simulates cinema cameras such as Arri, Sony Venice and RED, and with various settings and adapters, it is also possible to use cinema lenses with PL mounts. The idea is to preview exactly how the material would look before renting the device or on the day of the shoot, for example.

Usability

The camera has standard tripod threads on three sides, which can be used to attach the camera or to attach additional equipment. The camera weighs only 460 grams, which means that you can use a variety of gimbals with it. The camera does not have a sensor-moving image stabilizer (there is electronic stabilization for video), which means that when shooting handheld video, you may easily need a gimbal or stabilizer optics.

There are a few external viewfinder options as an accessory and Sigma has quite a few different mounts, meaning that your camera is built around its own ecosystem of tuning parts. These also have their own peculiarities, meaning that you can't use the hot shoe mount and the viewfinder at the same time because they are attached to the same thread. So it's not worth starting to build a traditional camera by combining everything from the handle and hot shoe connector.

The material is metal, and there are holes behind the screen for air circulation. The amount of data recorded by the camera is enormous, and even in professional use, the camera cannot overheat. The metal shell acts as a passive cooling element and continuous recording is possible for up to two hours, but in the most demanding modes such as 4K 60P and slow-motion videos, overheating can shorten the recording time.

Who is the Sigma FP2 suitable for?

Many manufacturers talk about hybrid cameras, but this is exactly that, a professional film camera or a very agile still camera all at the touch of a button. This Sigma FP2 is a camera for creative photographers, if you combine video and want good photos.

Since the first Sigma fp, several cameras have come onto the market that combine full-sensor quality with a relatively compact size, such as the Panasonic S9, Sony ZV-E1, Nikon ZR, and even the original Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. The charm of Sigma is its straightforwardness, it has fewer features, but everything that is available is well implemented and always in a slightly unique way.

The goal can be extreme quality and Raw video processing or stylish video for direct use with the tonal adjustments found behind the Color button. Also included is the aforementioned Director's viewfinder, which makes it possible to plan shooting locations for really large productions. A unique camera but still fun to use, this may not be everyone's only camera of choice, but it is an inspiring addition for visual artists.

Specifications:

• Compatibility: L-Mount
• Sensor: full-frame partially stacked 6K CMOS, 24.5 megapixels
• Sensor read speed: approx. 12ms (without log mode approx. 9ms)
• Sensitivity: Dual Base 320 / 2500, adjustable from 100 to 102400. Video MOV 320 / 2500, Log and RAW 1250 / 10000
• Autofocus: Phase detection subject detection (people, dogs, cats, birds) and eye focus
• Shutter speeds: 30 - 1/25600s, electronic shutter
• Flash sync: 1/50 sec.
• Continuous shooting: 20 fps, (image buffer: 180 RAW / 200 JPG)
• Video recording: 6K 60P Open Gate, 4K 120P with cropping, 6K 12bit ProRes RAW 30P directly to external disk
• Continuous video recording: up to 2 hours
• Dynamic range: up to 14.1 stops (4K L-Log)
• Exposure aids: waveform, histogram, zebra, false color
• Tilting 3.15" touchscreen, 2.1 million dot resolution
• 1x SDXC UHS-II memory card slot
• 70GB internal memory
• Microphone input: 3.5mm TRS (also functions as timecode input)
• 32bit float audio recording (requires HU-21 shoe unit and Panasonic DMW-XLR2 or DMW-DMS1 accessory)
• Full-size HDMI connection
• 2x USB Type-C (USB 2 for power, viewfinder and remote release and high-speed USB 3.2 for data)
• Dust and splash-proof construction
• Battery type: BP-91, approximately 370 images or 130 min of video on a single charge
• Size: 112.8 x 69.9 x 41.8mm
• Weight: 460g (with battery and memory card)

The sales package includes:

• Sigma FP2 body
• BP-91 battery
• Strap and SH-11 strap mount
• Frame plug
• Protective bag

Note: The sales package does not include a charger. The battery is charged in the camera via the USB-C connection (at least 27W USB PD charger recommended) or with the separately sold BC-91 charger.