Sigma Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor

BillSz

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4 Aug 2012 - 7:45 PM

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I've read a bit about the Sigma Foveon Sensor and I'm curious about how it compares in the real world. Opinions?

ChrisV

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5 Aug 2012 - 11:36 AM

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You forgot to mention difficulty and lack of speed in processing the resultant images. Apart from that... (this is beginning to sound like the Spanish Inquisition sketch).

But it is a great shame - you might imagine what this technology may have yielded if it had one of the big boys behind it. It seems doomed to be a niche product as it is, in spite of that recent massive price reduction.

Carabosse (e2 Member)

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5 Aug 2012 - 5:37 PM

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Quote: A true RGB sensor is the way to go and if Sony or Canon were behind the technology, it would fly.

I'm sure if Sony/Canon thought it would fly, they would have bought up the technology by now. Probably too many issues to be (expensively) sorted.

JackAllTog (e2 Member)

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6 Aug 2012 - 1:33 PM

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Quote: It really is a shame about the Foveon as it has the potential to wipe the floor with the ubiquitous Bayer.

A true RGB sensor is the way to go and if Sony or Canon were behind the technology, it would fly.

Doomed to languish at Sigma regrettably.

I believe Canon has filed a patent for this type of tech - http://www.canonrumors.com/2011/07/canon-3-layer-sensor-foveon-type-patent/

But they don't seem to have done more than that yet.

Carabosse (e2 Member)

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6 Aug 2012 - 2:15 PM

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I wouldn't get too excited. There's obviously a heck of a lot of development work needed before a Fovean-type sensor can handle the high levels of ISO which are starting to be taken for granted in the latest cameras (e.g. ISO 3200/6400 in DSLR/CSC, and 1600/3200 in compacts).

From what I've read, Fovean struggles a bit above ISO 400.