Captured images have good dynamic range and showcase the potential of the sensor. The Sigma DP2 Quattro, in our opinion, can only perform well in the hands of an experienced or extremely conscientious photographer who knows exactly what he's doing.

Sigma may be better known as a supplier of affordable third-party lenses, but it has been developing digital cameras that make the most of its heritage and deliver digital SLR quality within compact casings.

One of a kind device; sharply focused, shallow depth of field images

Pricey; confusing menu system; occasional operational freezes; slow-to-respond AF system; stiff shutter release button; strange colour casts; low resolution video option only suitable for online

When Sigma has a camera with interchangeable lenses and the feature set that most of todays cameras have with raw files that can be processed without turning me into a mental case then I would consider this as a serious camera.

At the 2006 Photokina tradeshow, Japanese third-party lens manufacturer Sigma announced development of its first compact digital camera . A year and a half later, the Sigma DP1 -- the camera that started the trend for large-sensor, fixed-lens compacts -- hit the market .

Phenomenal detail and "depth" at low ISOs; Incredible image quality for the price and size (at low ISOs; No demosaicing artifacts; Extremely high resolution; Superb corner-to-corner sharpness and contrast from fixed lens; even wide open; Low geometric distortion and chromatic aberration; Decent...

Fixed focal-length lens, Poor macro reproduction ratio, Moderate vignetting wide open, High ISO performance is still poor; much below average for the sensor size, Below average dynamic range, Auto and Incandescent white balance produce color casts indoors, Slow startup, Sluggish continuous mode...

I read all the reviews and did my research prior to buying this camera. I highly recomend doing the same to avoid disapointment. This is not a typical point and shoot and if you buy it as an everyday carry around camera you may be disapointed.

Great Resolution; Small / Compact

Lag / Shutter Delay; Poor in Low Light; Short Battery Life

Instead of a regular APS-C sensor, the Sigma DP2 Merrill adopts a Foveon X3 CMOS chip, which consists of three layers of photodiodes, each responding to different wavelengths of light.

The DP2 Merrill ($999 direct) is one of a trio of fixed-lens cameras offered by Sigma. They all share the same image sensor, but the focal length of their f/2.8 lenses varies. The DP2 features a lens that produces a standard-angle field of view, perfect for shooters who eschew wide angles. The APS-C Foveon image sensor is a unique design that captures an incredible amount of detail, but requires special software for Raw processing. We liked it a bit better than the DP1 Merrill and DP3 Merrill( at Amazon). Its JPG engine outclasses the DP1 and it's speedier to focus than the DP3, which is slowed by its macro lens. The DP2 will reward you if you work within its limits, and it's the only camera of its type with a standard-angle lens. It doesn't oust the Ricoh GR($970.95 at Amazon) as our Editors' Choice for prime lens compact cameras. Photos taken with the pocketable GR don't require any special processing, but the lens captures a very different wide-angle field of view that isn't fo...

The Sigma DP2 Merrill features a fixed standard-angle lens and is capable of producing some amazing photos—but you'll have to work with Raw files to get the most out of it.

Very sharp lens; APS-C Foveon image sensor; 45mm field of view; Sharp rear LCD; Improved JPG engine

Cumbersome Raw workflow; No HD video support; No EVF option; Lens is a little slow for a 45mm design

This camera produces absolutely amazing image quality, but requires a few compromises. The sensor and lens combo are fantastic, the lens is one of the sharpest I have ever used. With good light, image quality is fantastic, but above ISO 800 is only really useable as B&W.

Great color; Great Resolution; Great Sharpness; Small / Compact

No Viewfinder; Poor in Low Light; Short Battery Life; Slow Writing To Card

If you were to say "SIGMA" to someone who'd spent a good part of their photographic past shooting 35mm film, there's a good chance the first word out of their mouth would be "lenses.

We see a lot of new camera kit at the AP office. New features, picture effects and claims of improved performance are the norm. In the Sigma DP2 Merrill, Sigma has created a camera not intended to compete on such terms.