The post The Sigma fp L: A Full-Frame, 61 MP Sensor in a Minuscule Body appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
Yesterday, Sigma announced “the world’s smallest and lightest pocketable full-frame mirrorless camera,” the fp L, which packs a high-resolution sensor into a minuscule, rectangular body:
And that’s what makes this camera special; it’s literally a pocket-sized full-frame camera, one that you can take anywhere yet boasts the power of a much larger model.
The fp L joins Sigma’s current full-frame mirrorless offering, the Sigma fp, another ultra-compact, ultra-light camera that launched back in 2019.
But while the Sigma fp appealed strongly to videographers, the fp L seems to be more stills focused. First, there’s the 61-megapixel sensor, which serves up plenty of resolution for landscape shooters as well as commercial photographers in need of detailed files.
Then there’s a 3.68M-dot external electronic viewfinder, which attaches to the side of the fp L and allows photographers to work with the camera the way they’d work with high-resolution competitors such as the Sony a7R IV. As a stills photographer, I can’t fathom the idea of shooting without a viewfinder, so this is a welcome addition to the fp lineup.
(In fact, the EVF is also compatible with the original Sigma fp, so folks who weren’t satisfied shooting via the LCD or the optional LCD viewfinder might want to give that camera another look.)
Unfortunately, the electronic viewfinder does cost extra, though you can save a couple hundred dollars by purchasing it in a bundle with the fp L.
Sigma’s press release emphasizes the fp L’s new Crop Zoom feature, which gives users the option to zoom by cropping for up to 5x magnification. Of course, zoom in too far and you sacrifice significant megapixels, but given the impressive starting resolution, it may come in handy if you need a bit of extra reach.
The fp L also promises improved autofocus over the fp, thanks to a hybrid autofocus system that combines contrast-detection and phase-detection AF for “smooth autofocus that is high precision, fast, and excellent at tracking a moving subject.” While the fp’s contrast-detection system was certainly serviceable, street photographers, portrait photographers, and travel photographers will appreciate the boost in speed and tracking, as will plenty of videographers.
Interestingly, Sigma also highlights another new feature of the fp L: “USB-C charging while the camera is on.” In other words, you can pop in the battery, start shooting, and then – if the battery gets low – you can plug the camera into a mobile power bank for what Sigma is calling “unlimited power supply.” If you’re a photographer who spends days in the field but doesn’t want to juggle stacks of batteries, this will be a huge help, and videographers will love the ability to film for hours without worry.
Speaking of videography:
While the fp L may not be as video-centric as the fp, it’s perfectly capable of pro-level recording; you can shoot 4K/30p footage, and you get plenty of other video features, such as a mic port, zebra patterning, and RAW recording.
Regarding lenses: the fp L is compatible with L-mount glass from Sigma, Leica, and Panasonic, including a host of powerful Sigma L-mount lenses.
So for those looking for a tiny camera that punches far above its weight, the Sigma fp L is a great option. You’ll be able to purchase the fp L for $ 2499 USD (or $ 2999 USD when bundled with the external EVF) as early as next month.
Now over to you:
What do you think of the Sigma fp L? Is it a camera you’d be interested in buying? Is it missing any features that you’d like to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post The Sigma fp L: A Full-Frame, 61 MP Sensor in a Minuscule Body appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
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