For Everyone With a Creative Urge
Brand-new
"TRUE"
image-
processing
engine
Sigma created
a new image-
processing engine specially designed
for the DP1's direct image sensor. We
called it the Three-layer Responsive
Ultimate Engine, or "TRUE" for short.
Applying our exhaustive knowledge
of the image-creation mechanism of
the direct image sensor, we focused
on using a proprietary algorithm to
optimize and record the rich optical
signal it captures. The "optimal
image" is something we have always
pursued in our development of
DSLR cameras, and in developing
the DP1, a compact camera with
a unique mission, we mobilized all
our skill towards attaining this goal.
The rich optical signal captured
by the high-performance lens and
groundbreaking direct image sensor
is transformed into an information-
rich image: this is the important role
played by the brand-new "TRUE"
image-processing engine.
In JPEG mode, images are
finished at Sigma's discretion
JPEG images captured by the DP1
are photos finished in what Sigma
considers the most appropriate way.
If you find that the photos you take
in JPEG mode look the way you
intended, then by all means enjoy
the ease and convenience of the
JPEG setting. Your JPEG images are
ready to print – just plug the camera
into your printer – and the image
data files are ready to share with
your friends and family. If you want
email-friendly image files that can
be transferred straight from your
camera, JPEG mode wins hands-
down on convenience.
However, to create a JPEG file,
the data is subjected to irreversible
compression, which leaves very
little scope for image-correction
afterwards. And here's the rub: if you
only shoot JPEG mode, maybe you'll
find it very difficult to reproduce the
photo you saw in your mind's eye,
which is your own personal sensory
experience. If you've ever used
a conventional compact digital
camera that only has JPEG mode,
you'll know how unsatisfying the
results can be. You'll know what it's
like to find yourself thinking that the
light should have been punchier, that
the sky should have been bluer, that
the greenery should have been
a more vivid green, or that the sunset
should have been redder and had
more depth to it. Unfortunately, it's
extremely difficult to fully express
your artistic vision using only JPEG
images, which are created using the
camera's automatic settings.
X3F mode and the exclusive image-
processing software Sigma Photo Pro
The DP1 has an X3F mode (RAW
file format) in which all the image
data captured by the sensor can be
recorded without any significant
deterioration in camera performance.
If you want to do your own hands-on
photo-finishing, then for best results,
we recommend Sigma Photo Pro, the
image-processing software designed
exclusively for these X3F files.
You may think that "RAW data
processing" sounds like something
scarily technical, requiring high levels
of knowledge and skill. If so, just try
Sigma Photo Pro for yourself, and
you'll soon find out how easy it really
can be. Sigma Photo Pro offers only
those functions you really need for
artistic photo-finishing. Its interface
is one of the most user-friendly and
intuitive of the many RAW data-
processing software packages on the
market, so even if you're a beginner,
you'll find it simple to turn your
images into finished photos. Images
can be corrected using just seven
parameters — exposure, contrast,
shadows, highlights, color saturation,
sharpness and X3F Fill Light — all
provided in the Adjustment Controls
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