The Sigma fp L is the world’s most miniature mirrorless camera with a full-frame image sensor for a 35mm format camera.
A back-illuminated Bayer CMOS sensor with 61 effective megapixels is at the core of this camera. It is contained in a sturdy, totally weather-proof, die-cast aluminum alloy housing that weighs just 375g (5g more than the original fp model).
It does this by incorporating a heat sink of significant size, which helps prevent the camera from overheating in environments with higher temperatures or when used continuously.
The Sigma fp L utilizes an electronic shutter in place of the more common mechanical one, allowing for shooting that is more silent and immune to shutter shock.
Sigma FP L Digital Camera
- New member to the FP series
- Full Frame mirrorless 61 MP image sensor
- Worlds lightest and smallest pocketable full frame camera
- Package Dimensions: 26.009 H x 17.399 L x 21.488 W (centimeters)
- New member to the FP series
- Full Frame mirrorless 61 MP image sensor
- Worlds lightest and smallest pocketable full frame camera
- Package Dimensions: 26.009 H x 17.399 L x 21.488 W (centimeters)
The Sigma fp L can record externally in 12-bit CinemaDNG at 4K UHD/24 frames per second, in addition to recording in 10- or 8-bit 4K UHD at 24/25/30 frames per second in the MOV format.
The Sigma fp L has a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 of a second, a burst shooting capacity of 10 frames per second, a 3.15-inch 3:2 LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 2,100K dots, a brand new hybrid phase-detect and contrast-based auto-focus system with 49 points and a Face/Eye Detection AF function, and support for the 14-bit RAW format.
It has a new Crop Zoom function that digitally zooms into the image as you shoot, a tone curve adjustment function, an Auto HDR function, and a new USB charging option while the camera is in use. Additionally, it has 15 different color modes for both still images and videos, including the new Powder Blue and Duotone modes.
Because it has an L-Mount, the Sigma fp L may be coupled with any of the L-Mount lenses that are currently available, including those manufactured by Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma itself.
Sigma fp L Build Quality
The new Sigma fp L is, from the outside, indistinguishable from the previous Sigma fp model, which we evaluated back in the fourth quarter of 2019.
The only two extremely subtle changes that can be seen between the cameras are a different name written in tiny lettering on the printed label that is located on the bottom of the camera and a black, embossed “L” that is imprinted on the front panel of the camera directly underneath the “fp” logo. They are so similar that it is almost as if they sprang from the same pod.
Internal modifications make up the entirety of the fp L updates that Sigma has planned to implement. They are as follows:
- 61-million-pixel sensor equipped with a low-pass filter
- System hybrid capable of autofocus
- 10 frames per second of rapid fire
- a function called crop zoom
- Different ISO base values
- The colors Powder Blue and Duotone were used.
- Charging through USB
- The ability to preserve individualized camera settings in the form of a QR code
- External viewfinder system compatible with the brand-new EVF-1I model
Because the new image sensor and the auto-focus mechanism are the most significant differences between the original fp and the fp L, we will devote most of our discussion in this review to analyzing those aspects of the camera.
Before we do so, we want to urge you to walk over to our Sigma fp review and read the section that is correspondingly titled “Ease of Use.” Virtually all of the information included in that section applies to the new fp similarly.
Then, come back to this page to continue reading about the new features of the fp L and what they offer regarding how they handle and the functionality they provide.
The Sigma fp L is just the company’s second camera in its whole history that does not employ a Foveon sensor, which is a technology that Sigma itself owns. Compared to the sensor that was utilized in the first generation of the fp, which had just 24 megapixels, the fp L’s typical Bayer sensor, which in this instance is a back-illuminated type with 61 megapixels, offers an enormous level of resolution.
Image Quality
The Sony A7R IV features an extensive ISO range that extends from 50 up to 102,400. ISO 50-6400 produces almost no noise at all, while ISO 12800 and 25600 yield results that are more than satisfactory, and even ISO 51200 and 102400 may be used successfully in an emergency.
The RAW examples show precisely how much processing the camera conducts by default since, in comparison to their JPEG counterparts, the RAW samples are significantly noisier regardless of the ISO value, and they also have fewer undesirable color artifacts.
The night shot turned out well thanks to the camera’s maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds and its Bulb mode, which allow lots of room for creative experimentation during nighttime shooting.
Within the camera, you can instantly stylize both your still images and your video recordings using any one of the 15 various color options.
The HDR option, on the other hand, is only compatible with JPEGs, and we found it to be a little too forceful for our tastes.
The newly added Crop Zoom tool makes it simple to perform an in-camera crop to still images and videos in a way that does not impair the quality of the picture.
Sigma fp L Specs
Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
---|---|
Sensor | |
Max resolution | 9520 x 6328 |
Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
Effective pixels | 61 megapixels |
Sensor photo detectors | 62 megapixels |
Sensor size | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
Color filter array | Primary color filter |
Image | |
ISO | 100-25600 (expands to 6-102400) |
Boosted ISO (minimum) | 6 |
Boosted ISO (maximum) | 102400 |
White balance presets | 6 |
Custom white balance | Yes |
Image stabilization | No |
Uncompressed format | RAW |
JPEG quality levels | High, med, low |
File format | JPEG (Exif v2.3)Raw (DNG, lossless, 12 or 14-bit) |
Optics & Focus | |
Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
Autofocus assist lamp | No |
Digital zoom | Yes (1.5x – 5x) |
Manual focus | Yes |
Number of focus points | 49 |
Lens mount | Leica L |
Focal length multiplier | 1× |
Screen / viewfinder | |
Articulated LCD | Fixed |
Screen size | 3.2″ |
Screen dots | 2,100,000 |
Touch screen | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes |
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.83× |
Viewfinder resolution | 3,680,000 |
Photography features | |
Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual |
Built-in flash | No |
External flash | Yes (via flash sync port) |
Flash X sync speed | 1/15 sec |
Drive modes | SingleContinuousSelf-timerInterval |
Continuous drive | 10.0 fps |
Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot |
Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
AE Bracketing | ±3 (3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features | |
Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Videography notes | Can output 12-bit CinemaDNG to an external recorder |
Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
Microphone | Stereo |
Speaker | Mono |
Storage | |
Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) |
Connectivity | |
USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
USB charging | Yes (USB Power Delivery supported) |
HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
Microphone port | Yes |
Headphone port | Yes |
Wireless | Built-In |
Remote control | Yes (via smartphone or wired remote) |
Physical | |
Environmentally sealed | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack |
Battery description | BP-51 lithium-ion battery and charger |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 240 |
Weight (inc. batteries) | 427 g (0.94 lb / 15.06 oz) |
Dimensions | 113 x 70 x 45 mm (4.45 x 2.76 x 1.77″) |
Other features | |
Orientation sensor | Yes |
Timelapse recording | Yes |
GPS | None |
Sigma fp L Verdict
Sigma FP L Digital Camera
- New member to the FP series
- Full Frame mirrorless 61 MP image sensor
- Worlds lightest and smallest pocketable full frame camera
- Package Dimensions: 26.009 H x 17.399 L x 21.488 W (centimeters)
- New member to the FP series
- Full Frame mirrorless 61 MP image sensor
- Worlds lightest and smallest pocketable full frame camera
- Package Dimensions: 26.009 H x 17.399 L x 21.488 W (centimeters)
The Sigma fp L is a version of the company’s tiny full-frame interchangeable lens camera that features an increased level of resolution. It comes equipped with a 61-megapixel Backside Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, making it a platform more geared for still photography than the original fp 24MP L-mount mirrorless camera.
Sigma has stated that rather than looking at already established categories of cameras, the company’s goal was to develop a user-oriented camera that was intended to be versatile, adaptive, and enjoyable to operate. The fp L is unquestionably not easily compared to any of the other versions that are now available, yet, it is the smallest and lightest full-frame interchangeable lens camera currently available.