Sigma SD15 digital SLR finally available in the U.S.

Although it was originally announced back at Photokina 2008, the Sigma SD15 digital SLR camera is just now hitting the market in the U.S.  The Japanese camera and lens manufacturer recently announced pricing of $989 (body-only) and availability for this latest model in its SD series of dSLRs, which have all used the Foveon X3 sensor.

The SD15 uses the same 14 megapixel Foveon X3 as its predecessor, the Sigma SD14, but ups the ante with a larger 3-inch (460,000-dot) LCD as well as the newer True II processor used in its full-sensor compact cameras, such as the Sigma DP2. The SD15 also delivers a broader ISO sensitivity range (50 to 3200 extended), has a larger buffer to allow 21 raw images to be shot continuously (vs. six in the SD14), and uses SD/SDHC memory cards rather than CompactFlash.

The Sigma cameras stand out for their use of the Foveon sensor (Sigma acquired Foveon in 2008), which captures full color (RGB) for every pixel, unlike traditional CCD or CMOS sensors that capture one color per pixel. The X3 accomplishes this by using three layers (for red, green, and blue) that are 4.7 megapixels each so the 14-megapixel description is somewhat misleading. The actual quality is probably closer to what you'd be used to getting from a traditional 10-megapixel sensor. You can check out some actual images in a sample image gallery on the Sigma site.

For informational videos about the new camera, check out Sigma's YouTube channel.