I took a couple of shots for you at ISO400 on my DP0 which is the fixed 14mm version of the SD sensor.
The DR issue (as hotly debated in parts of the DPR thread) is one that partly comes down to what can be measured and what you can use based on what you can do with it in Sigma's RAW editor.
The RAW editor gets a lot of abuse (and not without foundation it has to be said when compared to stuff like Lightroom and Aperture) but its not dramatically worse than Hasselblad's Phocus app for example but at least you can open their files in something else, unlike Sigma's. Well, you have the DNG option now in the Quattro range and there is a freeware app who's name escapes me that can open the .X3F files but Sigma's open app is the key to getting the absolute best out of the files as they're the gatekeepers of the Foveon voodoo! Yes, its slow, but so is the pace of photography you will largely do with these cameras so its no big deal to me. Its not like I'm dealing with a DSLR where I've been machine gunning my way round a sports field and its more akin to film photography where you come home with a couple of rolls of 36 exposures.
Anyway, so here is an illustration that I shot for you (at ISO400) to show you what's possible DR wise and the key to this is the X3 Fill Light function which will bring back a ton of shadow information so you know you can ETTR and recover usable info
The top picture is the JPEG from the camera to show how it was shot and the bottom one is after using the X3 Fill Light.
Next is a comparison between ISO200 and ISO400 as I needed a coffee after looking at those old ruins (what do you mean, I see one in the mirror every day).
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With the Quattros, the native ISO is 100 and AFAIK there is a drop from 100 to 200 but its not so marked between 200 and 400. Basically, once you've taken the hit by moving away from 100 then you might as well take the extra shutter speed/aperture opportunities on offer by shooting at 400
Top picture is ISO200 and bottom is ISO400 with 100% crops from each to show the untreated noise in both.
If anyone wants to have a play with it themselves then I've put the original .X3F file here and you can then go over to Sigma's site and download their SPP software to edit it with.
As everyone says, these cameras have as many quirks and limitations as they do different models but if you're prepared to accept them then you're getting a hell of a lot in a compact form and price.
I started off with the DP2m and if I had to have just one then I think that is the sweet spot for me in terms of size, focal length (stitched comps for faux wide angle are great from it) and price.
Well, price is only ok for now until @Mattias Burling does one his reviews on it
Thanks for the file. Haven't seen it mentioned here (or very often), but Iridient Developer will open the Sigma files- much faster. The developer is a one man shop, but is able to handle the Sigma files (and does better job than Adobe on Fuji raws)- interesting Adobe couldn't. I did open file in both programs, think I like the initial rendering in Sigma a bit better. In any event, when conditions are right, Sigma can knock it out of the park!
Sigma's secret weapon - SD Quattro review, an incredible filmic 8K timelapse tool with infrared capabilities
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Thanks for the file. Haven't seen it mentioned here (or very often), but Iridient Developer will open the Sigma files- much faster. The developer is a one man shop, but is able to handle the Sigma files (and does better job than Adobe on Fuji raws)- interesting Adobe couldn't. I did open file in both programs, think I like the initial rendering in Sigma a bit better. In any event, when conditions are right, Sigma can knock it out of the park!
Rick