Sigma has announced a firmware upgrade for its Foveon X3-sensor-equipped D-SLR, the Sigma SD-14. The upgrade addresses the following fixes and improvements:

• Exposure time of Bulb Mode is increased from 30 seconds to 2 minutes (It is only available when the camera is set for Extended Mode).
• Accuracy of the Evaluative Metering has been improved.

SD14 firmware Ver.1.07 is available for download at the following site: http://www.sigma-sd14.com/software/firmware/

Sigma have released a firmware ugrade Ver. 1.01 for its newly-released Foveon X3-sensor-wielding compact digital camera, the  DP-1. The upgrade addresses the following fixes and improvements:

DP1 FIRMWARE

• The grid display mode for picture taking is added to the LCD monitor.(It cannot be used in MF mode and movie mode).
• Improved stability of the camera’s operation.

The DP-1 firmware upgrade will be available from 11th April 2008 from Sigma:  http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/support/soft/index.htm 

As well as this Sigma has also upgraded its Photo Pro software to include the following fixes and improvements:

SIGMA Photo Pro 2.5 for Windows

• Improved color reproduction of the SD14’s RAW images.
• Coloring at the corners of the image generated under a specific condition of the DP1’s RAW image has been improved.

SIGMA Photo Pro 3.2 for Macintosh

• Improved color reproduction of the SD14’s RAW images.
• Coloring at the corners of the image generated under a specific condition of the DP1’s RAW image has been improved.
• When the image’s white balance, captured by a custom white balance, was changed using Sigma Photo Pro3.1 for Macintosh, the image was not able to return to the original condition. This color balance was corrected even if it returned it to “former setting” afterwards.

Download the software upgrades from here:  http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/support/soft/index.htm

Sigma has today announced it’s first digital compact camera the DP1. It features the Foveon X3 14 megapixel sensor which is also found in Sigma’s SD14 digital SLR camera. The Foveon sensor is 20.7mm x 13.8mm which is similar in size to most digital SLR’s.

The DP1 utilises Sigma’s TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) processing engine. This unique engine allows high-speed image processing along with high quality images.

A 16.6mm f/4 lens (equivalent to 28mm on a 35mm SLR camera) was specially developed for the DP1 featuring super multi-layer coating to reduce flaring and ghosting; large aspherical glass to provide low distortion and high contrast images.

The DP1 has compact dimensions of 113.3mm (W) x 59.5mm (H) x 50.3mm (D) and weighs just 240g. Its compact body and lightweight design makes it easy to carry everywhere.