We've been shooting with the new Sigma fp, the £1999 full-frame camera, uses the L-Mount, and we've been shooting with Sigma's new L-Mount lenses, the compact 45mm f/2.8 DG DN (shown above), the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN, and the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN wide-angle zoom. You can view full-size images below, simply click High Res to view the original images, straight from the camera (unless stated otherwise). 

The camera has a full-frame 24.6mp BSI CMOS sensor, which uses a Bayer filter (not Foveon), and ISO ranges from 100-25600, which is expandable, Eye AF is supported and there's an electronic shutter. 

Sigma fp Handling

The Sigma fp, in it’s native form, doesn’t feature much in the way of a grip, it doesn’t even feature a flash hot-shoe, until you attach the flash hot-shoe “accessory” that attaches to the left-hand side of the camera.

This makes it small, and compact, in fact, the smallest full-frame camera available, but it also makes it a little too small when used with bigger L-mount lenses. If you want a small system, then the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 lens is particularly compact and makes a good match for the system. If you’re using a larger lens, then you’ll most likely want to use a grip with the camera, and there are two options available from Sigma, the “Hand Grip HG-11” for £59.99, or the “Large Hand Grip HG-21” at £99.99.

There is no viewfinder included, nor is there a true electronic viewfinder option available from Sigma, instead Sigma offer an “LCD View Finder LVF-11” attachment (with dioptre adjusted), that turns the rear LCD screen into a large electronic viewfinder. Looking at the camera, you might think that the screen tilts, but unfortunately it’s entirely fixed in position. The area around the screen, that make it look like it should tilt, are instead a cooling (heatsink) for the camera to aid in keeping the camera cool with extended (primarily) video use.

The camera controls are clearly laid out, with a large on/off switch, as well as a clear CINE / STILLS switch to let you switch between the video and stills shooting modes. There’s a top command wheel, as well as a scroll wheel on the back – this makes it easy to adjust the exposure (shutter, aperture, exposure compensation etc).

The QS button gives quick access to common settings, making it easy to change common settings. There are also dedicated buttons to adjust the colour settings (where you’ll find “film” like settings, such as “CINE” and “Foveon Blue”, “Forest Green” etc). Another button lets you adjust the tone, where you can adjust the highlight and shadow tone. Another button you’ll find on the back is the “Mode” button, which you can use to switch between the different modes, including P, A, S, M, etc. There is no mode dial.

The battery life is short, we took around 200 shots and then needed to switch to another battery, however, there are two batteries provided in the box, and you can also power the camera using a portable power bank, such as one you’d use to charge a smartphone. The camera has a USB Type-C connection.

The Sigma fp is designed to be a “modular” camera, and if you unscrew the strap loops on the left and right sides, you’ll find additional tripod sockets, that can be used to mount the camera on a tripod, or to add additional accessories, such as the flash hot-shoe, or a grip to the camera. Underneath there’s another tripod socket, in the normal place you’d expect to find one.

The camera features a metal body, and feels tough, and solid, with rubber grip where it is needed, albeit, we felt that it was missing from the front. However, the optional grip would easily resolve this, and the sides, as well as the back provide a good level of grip. If you’re using a larger lens, then this also provides another compact point for holding the camera securely.

One thing you don’t need to worry about, is the shutter potentially shaking the camera, something known as “shutter shock”, as the camera does not have a mechanical shutter, instead the camera uses an electronic shutter. This helps keep the camera smaller than it would be otherwise. 

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Sigma fp Sample Photos

You can also view a sample 4K UHD video on YouTube.

Sigma fp ISO test images

Sigma fp White-balance test images

Sigma fp Hands-On Photos of Equipment