Sigma Full Frame cam Video12-bit

Today Sigma launched these three new E and L-mount lenses:
Sigma 35mm f/1.2 FE US $1,499.00
Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 FE US $1,399.00
Sigma 45mm f/2.8 FE US $549.00

But the big news is this:
Sigma just announced their new FP camera (FP stays for “Fortissimo Pianissimo”). It’s the worlds smallest Full Frame system camera! This is NOT the Foveon camera that will come in 2020…this is a “regular” 24MP Bayer sensor L-mount camera scheduled to be released in autumn!

Here is what we know so far about the upcoming Sigma fp:

• 24.6MP full-frame Bayer sensor
• Launch date:TBD
• L-mount
• No low-pass filter
• Eye AF
• Full-time electrinic shutter
• HDR shooting / Silent shooting
• ISO 100-25,600 (expandable to 6-102,400)
• 14 bit RAW (DNG)
• 4k UHD, 24 fps, 12 bit external SSD recording
• 18 fps (for only 12 shots)
• Dimenssions: 112.6mm x 69.9mm x 45.3mm
• Weight: 370g
• Dust and splash-proof structure

Video Recording

The SIGMA fp records either raw CDNG in 8, 10 or 12bit (externally to SSD) or it records plain h.264 into a .mov container either in all-i or GOP mode. Supported resolutions include:

• 3,840 × 2,160 (UHD 4K): 23.98p, 25p,29.97p
• 1,920 x 1,080 (full HD): 23.98p, 25p, 29.97p, 59.94p, 100p, 119.88p

I couldn’t find any intel about color sub-sampling yet but will add these information once I have them. Another thing which is still a bit unclear is the fact that SIGMA states a 1.5 crop in the specifications. Maybe that crop applies to video recording (or UHD recording, at least). It also could be just an option (as seen in the menu – video above @ 2:34), which would be the best possible solution, of course. We will update this article as soon as we know for sure.

For external recording, the video feed can be send out through USB 3.1 (GEN1) to a fast outboard SSD or through HDMI (4:2:2 8-bit only as it seems) to an external recorder. SIGMA specifically names ATOMOS Ninja Inferno and Blackmagic Video Assist 4K as supported devices. More makes and models should follow I assume.

Note: The in-camera playback function of recorded CinemaDNG frames will be implemented later with a firmware upgrade so as of now you can shoot CDNG but you can’t play it back on the camera itself. Another curiosity: In their press release SIGMA claims that the fp is able to record 12-bit raw CDNG externally through USB 3.1 while further down in the specifications it reads that the camera is able to record 12-bit raw CDNG internally. We will have to wait and find out what’s actually the case here.