dpquattro

Sigma raised some eyebrows when they announced their upcoming DP Quattro cameras with their new Foveon Sensor and... unique... design. But even with eyebrows raised, at $1,000, the overhead for investing in this new and interesting tech might be a bit steep for some.

In hopes of convincing these people that the camera is worth the investment, Sigma has announced a new “Try Before You Buy” program that will put the funky looking shooter in the hands of at least a few curious souls.

Sigma took a unique approach when it worked together with its sensor subsidiary, Foveon Inc., to build the newest version of Foveon sensor found in the DP Quattro camera.

Using technology that captures light simultaneously across three separate layers of sensors -- one each for blue, red, and green -- Sigma claims that, while smaller, the sensor is actually capable of out-resolving a 36-megapixel full frame sensor similar to those found in the Nikon D800E and Sony A7r.

As of yesterday, Sigma has shaken up its point-and-shoot line with a major refresh of the powerful-yet-strange DP Series of cameras. Dubbed DP 'Quattro' (the old ones were Merrill) the new line of Foveon compacts from Sigma represents a significant visual redesign and some minor (but important) changes on the inside.