SIGMA sd Quattro H | SHOOTING REPORT

The sd Quattro H was announced with the sd Quattro at the CP+2016. The sd Quattro was released in June and now we finally have the sd Quattro H in the end of this year. We're all curious about the improvement of image quality because the "H" has an APS-H Foveon X3 Quattro sensor which is about 1.3 times bigger than the APS-C sensor. The number of pixels has increased from 39 megapixel to 51 megapixels. This is the largest Foveon sensor ever made. Though there're other improvements such as higher continuous shooting speed and higher viewfinder magnification, this camera is primarily made to realize the phenomenal image quality. While it inherits the superior rendition characteristics unique to the Foveon X3 Quattro sensor, the resolution has increased. To best demonstrate "the best image quality in class" brought by the sensor which is 2.4mm and 3.3mm larger (in height and width respectively), I shot many kinds of scenes starting from seaside. By clicking each image, you can view them at original size and check every pixels and detail from corner to corner.

( Photography : Z II / Text : SLK )

Image quality appears to be much higher than the sd Quattro, not to mention. Even though it sometimes takes time to write the data and the AF sometimes hunts, the crushing power of resolution and beautifully rich tonal reproduction remind me of the moment I saw the beautiful slides for the first time. So, I don't care about the nitty-gritty stuff because I can get the beautiful images so easily, much easier than with a film camera.

This is just an ordinary field after the rain in cold dry winter. Because of the realistic reproduction of the dry and wet parts, I feel as if I were standing at the location. Only the Foveon sensor can achieve this amazingly realistic rendition, but it can also work to display the weaknesses of the lenses. But with the 35mm F1.4 and 20mm F1.4 Art lenses, I don't have to worry about it.

Challenge to higher definition

I wonder if the Foveon sensor will be larger in the future just like the Bayor sensors. Unlike the previous sd/dp series whose sensor size was maintained to be APS-C by decreasing the pixel pitch to have more pixels, the sd Quattro H has an 1.3X larger APS-H sensor without sacrificing the pixel pitch. So, while the resolution doesn't change (when the same lens is used at the same distance), the sd Quattro H can capture wider area while maintaining the dynamic range. This means the image has more information when the viewing size is the same. This large amount of information can beat the one captured with the naked eye. It's just like when viewing a large format slide film with a loupe for the first time. Now, you can experience it with such a small camera!

F8 with the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art. What a sharp and realistic rendition of the hard stones, clouds, and dazzling horizontal line!

F1.4 with the same lens. Beautiful reproduction of the soft texture of the cloth and the delicate light and shadow of the lightly clouded sky.

Shooting 1 hour before the sunset. Just like I saw, the ships looks gold because of the intense evening sun and the clouds. Such color reproduction was achieved after trying different combinations of white balance and color mode when developing RAW data with the SPP. This time, I used the combination of daylight and FOV yellow. And, I love adjusting images shot with Foveon cameras.

How about this wonderful reproduction of the glossy texture and rough surface of the red pepper? This is an ordinary scene at a fishing village, but we often find something extraordinary in an ordinary life. The Foveon sensor never fails to capture it. This red color reproduction can only be realized by the Foveon sensor which doesn't require color interpolation.

Wide open with the 35mm. Because of the natural continuum between the defocused foreground and the focal peak, our attention naturally goes to the focal peak. The reproduction of the winter sky is perfect thanks to the beautiful gradation.

I stopped it down slightly with the same lens to trace the texture of the cloth. The soft and warm light reflected by the snow came through the window and it worked to further emphasize the color and texture of the chairs. After shooting this image, I kept looking at the heaving snow outside.

 

 

Replace the sd Quattro? Keep it and get the sd Quattro H?

Now that the sd Quattro lineup has completed, you may wonder if you should get the sd Quattro or the sd Quattro H. The image quality of the sd Quattro H has improved by more pixels and the new image processor TRUE III. The increased tonal depth allows more room in RAW data development.

Why did SIGMA release the two models? I think SIGMA considers lenses as property. They make DG (full frame) and DC (APS-C) lenses. I think they needed two sensor sizes to offer more choices for the owners of these lenses. Thanks to the "DC crop" function which allows the use of APS-C lenses, the lens property won't be wasted. You may be one of the many users of the sd Quattro and must be wondering if you should replace it with the H. Though it's all up to what you use it for, I strongly recommend you to replace it with the H if you must choose only one camera or need higher image quality. Of course, the sd Quattro has demonstrated its excellent image quality and it's cheaper. Plus, it's a better snapshooter because it writes data slightly faster. When you want to use wider lenses, the sd Quattro H with a larger sensor is the answer and it delivers images with higher resolution. If combined with the high-performance DG Art lenses, the sd Quattro H will always generate unprecedented quality images. Here's my favorite anonymous quote. "Start worrying only after getting intro trouble." What's the point of worrying before having trouble? Maybe you'll be happiest if you own both…

( 2016.12.27 )