Sigma fp fp Review

The sensor is an absolute chart-topper in the 99th percentile, and the build is stellar, but don't let that fool you. User satisfaction scrapes the bottom at the 15th percentile. This camera is a specialized cinema tool that will frustrate anyone expecting a do-it-all mirrorless.

The Sigma fp houses a 24.6MP full-frame sensor that lands in the 99th percentile of our database, meaning it's one of the best sensors you can get right now. Build quality is another standout at the 90th percentile, and the whole thing weighs just 370g. For filmmakers who crave internal 12-bit CinemaDNG raw video, this tiny camera sounds like a dream. But here's the rub: user satisfaction sits at a painful 15th percentile. That's a massive disconnect between hardware potential and real-world happiness.

That sensor is the star, delivering detail and dynamic range that rival far pricier bodies. You can rip off 18fps bursts (82nd percentile, solid) but the contrast-based autofocus with 49 points often can't keep up. For video, the fp records 4K 30p in 12-bit CinemaDNG raw internally, a spec that still makes videographers drool. Video capabilities rank in the 72nd percentile overall, though the electronic stabilization isn't the same as the mechanical IBIS you'd get on a Sony or Panasonic. If you're shooting manual focus on a rig, it's a cinema beast; if you rely on autofocus, it's a frustrating experience.

Prices are all over the map, from $1,080 for a body to an eye-watering $174,844 for some bundles. At the low end, you're getting a full-frame raw video camera for less than a used a7S III. But the spread is absurd, so you need to hunt for the real deal. Newegg has a solid bundle with the MC-21 adapter and a 64GB card, but no listed price makes comparison tricky. If you pay above $1,500 for just the body, you're probably overpaying for what this niche camera offers.

The Sony a7 V, Canon EOS R6 Mark III, Fujifilm X-H2S, Panasonic LUMIX S5IIX, and Nikon Z8 all trounce the fp in autofocus and everyday usability. They pack phase-detect systems, real IBIS, EVFs, and better battery life. Yet none of them fit in a jacket pocket or shoot CinemaDNG internally. The fp is a cinema-first tool, not an all-rounder. If you need reliable tracking or want to shoot handheld video without a gimbal, those competitors are miles ahead.

If you're a vlogger, run away. Vlogging scored a miserable 52 out of 100, the camera's weakest category. Sports and wildlife shooters will curse the slow autofocus (65th percentile) and lack of a usable EVF. Anyone who needs a headphone jack or reliable tracking autofocus should look at the Panasonic or Sony options. The fp is for manual-focus purists, not for those who want a camera that just works.

The Sigma fp is a marvel of miniaturization with a sensor that punches far above its weight. But the 15th-percentile user satisfaction tells the real story: it's a polarizing camera that demands you work around its limitations. For considered, tripod-based cinematography with manual lenses, it's a hidden gem. For anyone else, the slow autofocus, missing EVF, and electronic-only stabilization make it a chore. There's greatness here, but only for a very specific kind of shooter.