Sigma BF
Announced February 23, 2025
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Good
The Sigma BF is a niche, design-focused camera that prioritizes a minimalist, inspirational shooting experience over traditional utility and ergonomics. While it delivers excellent image quality and a unique aesthetic, its lack of standard features like a viewfinder, mechanical shutter, and IBIS makes it a specialized tool rather than a practical workhorse.
Weighted from 33 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent image quality with pleasing color profiles
- Fast and accurate autofocus performance
- Stunning, premium, and unique all-metal design
- Simple, intuitive user interface and operation
- Generous 230GB internal storage
Cons
- Lacks a viewfinder and features a fixed, non-tilting screen
- Limited connectivity and lack of mechanical shutter
- Absence of in-body image stabilization
- Impractical ergonomics and uncomfortable handling
- Short and unreliable battery life
- Launch price $1,999 (USD)
- Sensor 24.6MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS
- Video 6K 29.97p 4K 120p
- Stabilization None
What the Reviewers Say
All 33 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- PetaPixel 5/10
The BF camera is designed to change the way you think about photography and to take photos with less concern for the process and with more thought on the feeling.
- DPReview 85/100
The Sigma BF is an idiosyncratic photo taking device, to the point we'd barely call it a camera: its not a sensible substitute for much else that's on the market. But every aspect of its design is both innovative and clever.
-
Ultimately while I’d personally prefer to have a viewfinder, IBIS and mechanical shutter on a camera aimed at photography first, there’s no denying the Sigma BF is an exciting and original looking camera, which like their previous models, tries to do something different.
-
Ultimately, photography is a creative pursuit. Sometimes it’s fine to buy and use things just because they are pleasing and inspirational – not necessarily because they are technically the ‘best’.
-
The BF is certainly Sigma's best camera yet.
- The Verge 6/10
If you’re looking for a hybrid powerhouse that can do it all, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for an exciting and modern camera that is fun to use, takes great photos, has clever usability features, and just looks stunning, the BF is a fantastic choice.
-
Personally, I enjoyed my time with the BF, but I don’t see one in my future.
- WIRED 6/10
While I do not recommend the Sigma BF for most people, there are no doubt photographers out there who will love it not despite quirky design choices, but because of them. I fully expect this to be one of those cameras that develops a cult following in 20 years.
-
A camera that has eye-catching style, but more than that can deliver eye-catchingly superb results.
-
It's not a camera that I personally would buy or recommend spending thousands of dollars to be in a system on.
-
I can't in good conscience call it a five-star camera, given what's missing, but the Sigma BF is truly gestalt – and there is far more here than what seems to be missing.
-
[...] I had a good time using it, and I adore the color profiles Sigma uses in its JPG engine, but battery life is too much of a sticking point for the BF to earn top marks.
-
The camera’s minimalist design, controls and user interface add more fun to photography, and shooters have 230GB of internal storage at their disposal. However, the camera has a short battery life, there’s no IBIS, and ergonomics aren’t the best.
-
You might have a camera that's the A1, the R8, something that sort of does it all, the workhorse, and then you get a second camera that you want, that makes you feel something. [...] And [...] that's what the Sigma BF is.
-
Its beauty and its simplicity are two of its biggest selling points.
-
For me, the combination of this stunning piece of design and the potential of the L-mount makes the Sigma BF more than just a luxury purchase. It’s a way to celebrate your photography – and look great doing it.
- Photography News 72/100
You can think of the Sigma BF as a modern Leica-style experience at half the cost. It excels in stills, with elegant control, rich image quality and an inspired design.
- SlashGear 8/10
It's not a camera that's made for everyone, and that's OK. Niche products can be quite successful, and the BF is absolutely a niche product.
-
The Sigma BF might not be practical or ergonomic, and doesn’t really care about video, but it’s not a camera you buy for such things. It’s a soul-stirring object seemingly engineered to inspire you to compose and capture photos, and it succeeds in that very well.
-
So in that case, I just think that the Sigma BF is going to be a special camera for those who already have another camera to shoot with on a daily basis as a professional or, you know, just going out and about using different lenses for instance.
-
And those who value the experience of image making in its purest form, well, the BF could well prove to be a breath of fresh air.
-
The Sigma BF camera is a fashion piece that makes a statement and at the same time takes good photos.
-
[I] enjoy the image quality that I get out of this camera.
-
I'm a way bigger fan than I thought I was going to be when I just looked at the specs.
-
I would say that while this camera is capable of professional level results, the use case of the BF seems to fit into a daily carry type of lifestyle camera.
-
[T]hat's the Sigma BF, beautiful foolishness as Sigma calls it, but I like to call it a peek into the future of photography and content creation. And this camera is absolutely beautiful.
-
This camera is definitely a statement and a proof of the point that we reached.
-
So while it's not a professional camera, it's definitely a camera for professionals or like amateur as well that just like to have something cool with them to photograph everyday life.
-
They went too far that is not practical to use.
-
It still might be a little ridiculous, but there’s no question it’s surprisingly good.
-
[I] really enjoyed my two weeks with this camera.
-
The BF offers a simple, joyful experience without sacrificing image quality, especially paired with Sigma’s lineup of compact, sharp lenses. It’s the kind of camera you can throw into your jacket pocket or backpack, pull out at a moment’s notice, and be ready to go.
-
At the start of today, I didn't like this, and I think I stand by that there are some impracticalities with this camera that just make it slightly annoying. But, saying that, by the end of today, I did really enjoy using it.
