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FOVEON & SIGMA ANNOUNCE NEW SIGMA SD10 DSLR & NEW ENHANCED FOVEON X3 SENSOR (10/27/03)

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Foveon and Sigma are announcing today the new Sigma SD10 DSLR camera, the first to feature a newly improved & enhanced X3 Pro 10M Foveon image sensor. We have been provided all kinds of useful information from both Foveon and Sigma much of which we are posting below.

Briefly, the Sigma S10 is a new digital SLR camera which improves upon their initial offering, the SD9 in many areas, including the use of a new improved X3 Pro 10M Foveon image sensor. The new SD10 produces 10 megapixel X3F RAW files which contain what Sigma and Foveon contend is superior image data for better picture results. This is achieved by having 3 sensors at each pixel site, with Silicon effectively directing the incoming light to different levels of depth for each of the three primary colors, Red, Green and Blue. The RAW files produced by the X3 sensor can be converted to JPEG images using the Sigma Photo Pro RAW imaging processing software, which is also improved and contains a really interesting new feature from Foveon called X3 Fill Light. Overall, both companies claim the new camera and image processor produce better color results and improved dynamic range.

The concept behind the X3 image processor was first announced back in February of 2002 and it was first implemented in the Sigma SD9, which began shipping one year ago in late November and December of 2002. The technology and concept were relatively new compared to the existing Bayer interpolation method used by most other image processors, and it was expected that it would take some time to improve upon the initial results found in the Sigma SD9. Both Foveon and Sigma have worked on improvements to the camera and the X3 sensor itself to enhance the overall image results. These improvements include use of new microlenses over the pixel sites in the X3 sensor, allowing better sensitivity, up to ISO 1600 as well as faster processing, lower noise, more accurate colors and the ability to produce better dynamic range in the images. The combined improvements to the Sigma Camera, the Sigma RAW processing software with technology from Foveon, and the X3 processor itself sound very promising. The new Sigma SD10 featuring the new Foveon enhanced X3 image sensor is set for release on November 14, 2003. We cannot wait to test the new products out, very soon!

As we stated above, there is a lot of information we have been going through for this major announcement. In addition to what we have, the other digicam sites have some additional information that is helpful and both the Sigma web site and the Foveon web site have all kinds of additional information. However, we have attempted to post right here some of the key information, and so without any further delay, we invite you to check out the items below, which do include specifications, press releases and even a sample photograph which displays how the new X3 Flash Fill improves digital images! We are very excited about these new developments and hope you can take a few moments to read the information which follows!

Summary of Key Differences in SD10:

Summary of Key Differences in SIGMA Photo Pro:

For the full Sigma SD10 Product Brochure click here.

Here is a brief summary of how Foveon describes their new X3Pro 10M image sensor.

"The Foveon X3 Pro 10M is a 25 mm-diagonal high-resolution CMOS direct image sensor that incorporates breakthrough Foveon X3 technology. Newly enhanced, the latest version Pro 10M sensor achieves significantly longer exposure times, broader ISO selection, and improved dynamic range over its F7X3-B91 predecessor. Foveon X3 direct image sensors capture full-measured color images through a unique stacked pixel sensor design. By capturing full-measured color images, the need for indirect color interpolation and artifact-reducing blur filters is eliminated. As a result, the Foveon X3 Pro 10M delivers the highest effective resolution possible without color artifacts for the 25 mm optical format. The Foveon X3 Pro 10M features the powerful VPS (Variable Pixel Size) capability. VPS provides the on-chip capability of grouping neighboring pixels together to form larger pixels that are optimal for high frame rate, reduced noise, or dual mode still/video applications. Other advanced features include: low fixed pattern noise and ultra-low power consumption."

The new Foveon X3 Pro 10M CMOS Direct Image Sensor F7X3-C9110 Features FoveonX3 Technology including the following:

• Three pixel sensors are layered at each pixel location to achieve superior color fidelity through full-measured color.
• Images have improved sharpness and immunity to sampling artifacts (moiré).
• Foveon X3 technology directly converts light of all colors into useful signal information at every pixel location—no
light absorbing filters are used to block out light.

Variable Pixel Size (VPS) Capability
• Several neighboring pixels can be grouped together on-chip to obtain the effect of a larger pixel.
• Enables flexible video capture at a variety of resolutions.
• Enables higher ISO mode at lower resolutions.
• Reduces noise by combining pixels.

Ultra Low Power
• Use of the most advanced CMOS process technology allows for ultra low power.
• Input voltages to the image sensor are less than 2.5V.
• Power consumption is less than 50 mW during readout, less than 10 mW in standby mode,and less than 100 µW
in power down mode.

Low Noise
• The Foveon X3 direct image sensor offers extremely lownoise readout and high dynamic range.
• Proprietary readout circuits suppress fixed pattern noise artifacts commonly associated with CMOS image sensors.

Blooming Immunity
• The Foveon X3 direct image sensor is designed to resist the blooming that is characteristic of CCD image sensors.

Specifications

 


FOVEON ENHANCES DIGITAL IMAGES WITH ‘X3 FILL LIGHT’

New technology easily corrects lighting problems in digital photos

Santa Clara, CA (October 27, 2003) – Foveon, Inc., a technology leader in high-quality digital image capture, today announced the release of X3 Fill Light, a powerful new technology that dramatically improves the quality of digital images affected by difficult lighting conditions. The technology is incorporated as a new software feature in the Sigma Photo Pro 2.0 application for the Sigma SD10 digital Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) camera.

The X3 Fill Light feature simulates the photographic method of “dodging and burning” adding extra light to shadow regions, while preserving highlight detail. It is a powerful method for simultaneously adjusting overexposed and underexposed areas of a digital image with a single simple control. The feature is bundled exclusively with the new Sigma SD10 digital SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) camera, which uses a Foveon X3 direct image sensor. X3 Fill Light is designed for images taken under lighting conditions such as indoor-outdoor scenes, backlit portraits, or scenes with mixed lighting. Use of the X3 Fill Light feature creates natural-looking images that can be faithfully reproduced in a print.

“Challenging lighting conditions, such as backlighting from a window or subjects in front of snow, can result in disappointing images. The X3 Fill Light technology allows photographers to make excellent prints from poorly exposed images which otherwise would have been discarded due to poor lighting and exposure.” said Eric Zarakov, Foveon’s vice president of marketing.

X3 Fill Light is implemented as a simple slider interface that allows the user to control the amount of correction. By increasing the amount of X3 Fill Light, the brightness and contrast of the shadow regions are increased to add visibility into areas that have been underexposed. Simultaneously, the contrast in highlight regions is automatically increased and the brightness is adjusted to avoid saturation.

The Sigma Photo Pro 2.0 software, incorporating Foveon’s X3 Fill Light, is shipping with the Sigma SD10 digital Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) camera from Sigma Corporation (www.sigma-photo.co.jp). About Foveon Since its establishment in 1997, Foveon has focused on developing image-capture technologies and products for digital cameras. The most recent innovation by Foveon is the Foveon X3® direct image sensor, the world’s first direct image sensor that captures red, green and blue light at every pixel location. Foveon is a privately held company. Investors include: National Semiconductor Inc., Synaptics Inc., New Enterprise Associates, and Franklin Templeton Investments.

 

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FOVEON INTRODUCES NEW 10.2 MEGAPIXEL DIRECT IMAGE SENSOR

Sigma SD10 Digital Camera First To Incorporate Improved Foveon Image Sensor
 
Santa Clara, CA (October 27, 2003) – Foveon Inc., a technology leader in high-quality digital photography, announces the immediate availability of the F7X3-C9110, an enhanced version of the Foveon X3® PRO 10M direct image sensor. The improved 10.2 megapixel (red + green + blue pixels) image sensor doubles the sensitivity and maximum exposure times and offers increased dynamic range over its predecessor. The new Foveon sensor is used in the Sigma SD10 digital Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) camera. The image sensor allows users to capture outstanding photographs at higher shutter speeds ideal for sports action as well as in low light situations requiring long exposures up to 30 seconds.

The new Foveon image sensor is a result of design and fabrication process improvements that result in higher image quality and superb color fidelity. “These improvements demonstrate the speed at which we are evolving the technology and support our confidence that X3 is the most advanced image sensor technology for capturing color images,” said Federico Faggin, Foveon’s CEO.

The first camera to incorporate the new image sensor is the Sigma SD10 digital Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) camera. The camera supports an ISO range from 100 to 800, plus an extended mode option to ISO 1600, and exposure durations of up to 30 seconds.

“The choice of image sensor is becoming a top criterion, when choosing a digital camera, because it is the primary factor that determines the image quality. We believe that with Foveon X3 technology, the Sigma SD10 digital camera offers color resolution and color fidelity comparable to other cameras costing four times the price,” said Faggin.
The Foveon X3 PRO 10M direct image sensor has a total of 10.2 million red, green, and blue pixels that are organized into three layers (2268 x 1512 x 3 layers).

About Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensors
Foveon X3 image sensors are the world’s only direct image sensors, which capture red, green, and blue light at every pixel location, and are the first image sensors that leverage silicon’s inherent color separation property. When silicon is exposed to light, blue light is absorbed near the surface, green light is absorbed in the middle, and red light is absorbed deep within the silicon. Pixel sensors are stacked at the corresponding depths within the silicon so that red, green, and blue light is captured for each pixel location.

Other image sensors on the market such as CCD and CMOS image sensors have only one layer of pixels and use colored filters to capture a single color per location, resulting in color artifacts and image blurring.
Foveon X3 technology is highly scalable for a wide range of cameras including digital still/video cameras, PDAs, cell phones, security cameras and scientific cameras.

About Foveon
Since its establishment in 1997, Foveon has focused on the development of image capture technologies and products for digital cameras. Foveon is a privately held company. Investors include: National Semiconductor Inc., Synaptics Inc., New Enterprise Associates, and Franklin Templeton Investments.
 
 
 
 
 
Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new Sigma SD10 Digital SLR camera. This high-definition digital SLR camera is powered by Foveon® X3™ image sensor, which captures all RGB colors at each and every pixel.
 
1. FOVEON X3® Direct Image Sensor
Foveon® X3™ direct image sensor in the Sigma SD10 digital SLR can capture all RGB colors at each and every pixel. The revolutionary design of Foveon® X3™ direct image sensor features three layers of pixel sensors
 
Using three silicon-embedded layers of pixel sensors, stacked to take advantage of silicon’s ability to absorb red, green, and blue light at different respective depths, the Foveon X3® direct image sensor can thereby directly capture full color and detail at each and every pixel location, without interpolation. Other conventional image sensors feature just single layer of pixel sensors in a tiled mosaic pattern. Each pixel detects only one color of light, which has been filtered through a single red or green or blue color filter. As a result, two thirds of the color information at each pixel is blocked out. To compensate, the missing color is estimated through a complicated process of color interpolation, leading to color errors, color artifacts and loss of image detail. Sigma SD10, powered by Foveon X3® direct image sensor, however, captures all three colors at every pixel location, ensuring the capture of full, complete color. It efficiently reproduces color more accurately, and offers sharper resolution, pixel for pixel, than any conventional image sensor.
 
2. RAW Image Format
With the RAW data recording system of the SIGMA SD10, it is possible to obtain high picture definition and compact file size. The lossless compression system of RAW data, eliminates image deterioration, provides superior pictures, without sacrificing original image quality and retains full image capture details.

3. Three Resolution Settings
Depending on the intention of the photographer, the SIGMA SD10 allows photographers to select the resolution of RAW data images in one of three resolutions. HI mode (2268x1512x3 layers) delivers highest resolution image performance. MED mode (1512x1008x3 layers) has high definition and recording capacity. LOW mode (1134x756x3 layers) for capturing the most images per given memory capacity.

4. Exclusive SIGMA Photo Pro 2.0 Software
The SD10 comes with SIGMA Photo Pro 2.0 software for modifying recorded RAW data image files. It is easy to make adjustments (white balance, exposure, color balance, and contrast for example) in three modes. The X3F mode stores the original settings of the image at point of capture. In the auto adjustment mode the software analyzes and automatically makes adjustments of RAW data. The custom-mode allows the photographer to make individual adjustments to exposure, contrast, shadow, highlight, sharpness, and saturation. The latest addition to Sigma Photo Pro 2.0 software is X3 Fill Light. This easy to use facility corrects tones on images of high contrast exposure or back lit pictures. The under exposed areas of the image can receive extra exposure without “burning out” the highlight regions. Conversely, more detail can be obtained from over-exposed sections without plunging the more shaded areas into darkness. SIGMA Photo Pro supports 8-bit TIFF, 16-bit TIFF, and JPEG file formats and also outputs images in four-color space (s.a. sRGB and AppleRGB). The default setting for resolution is the same as the resolution selected when capturing the image on the camera (High, Medium, or Low). It is also possible to select one half, or double the resolution for the processed image.

5. ISO100 – 1600 setting
In Default or normal mode the ISO sensitivity of SD10 can be set to 100, 200, 400 and 800. If Extended Mode is selected, it is possible to use ISO 1600 sensitivity. In any ISO sensitivity setting, it is possible to select a high shutter speed from 1/6000 sec. to a slow shutter speed of 30secs. *It is possible to see slight ”noise”, if the higher ISO sensitivity and shutter speeds are selected

6. Image Sensor Dust Protector
Most digital SLR cameras are typically vulnerable to dust entering the body especially when the lens is dismounted for changing. Dust and dirt entering through the lens mount of a digital camera, can create serious defects in image quality. The dust protector of the SIGMA SD10 prevents dust from entering and adhering to the image sensor. Even if dust adheres to the dust protector it will not have an influence on image quality, because the dust protector is located away from the image sensor and is therefore out of focus.

7. The Sports Finder
The coverage of a viewfinder of a digital SLR camera with interchangeable lens is almost the same as the picture seen on its image sensor. However, the coverage of viewfinder can be maximum 100%, and no portions of the outside area projected on the image sensor can be seen. SIGMA SD10 is equipped with a "sport finder" which offers a view that extends outside of the frame. The area that is out of the image sensor coverage range is marked by transparent light gray, to distinguish it from the active picture taking area. It is also important to monitor the area surrounding the photographic subject. In this respect, the sports finder makes the photographer aware of imminent photo opportunities.

8. Intuitive Interface
Clearly marked operation panel buttons make it easy for photographers to identify and use desired functions. Each button of the Sigma SD10 is devised and arranged to provide a functional and easy-to-use setting. The SD-10 is probably the most user – friendly digital SLR. It is always ready to shoot, even when reviewing earlier images.

9. Mirror lock-up Mechanism Prevents Camera Shake
The mirror lock-up mechanism raises the mirror thus preventing vibration when the shutter is released. This prevents camera shake, and is especially effective for macro photography, shooting scenes using telephoto lenses or scientific work. Use of a remote controller or cable release (sold separately) also reduces the possibility of camera shake.

10. Exposure Compensation and Auto Bracketing
It is possible to adjust exposure in 1/3 EV steps increments up to ±3 EV from the auto- exposure level set for the scene. In situations where it is difficult to determine proper exposure, the auto bracketing function allows a sequence of pictures to be taken of the same subject at three different exposure levels; Appropriate Exposure, Under Exposure and Over Exposure.

10. Non-stop shooting up to 30 frames
A high-speed CPU and high-volume buffer memory enable the SD10 to shoot at 2.5 frames per second for up to 30 consecutive frames in LOW mode, up to 14 consecutive frames in MED mode, and up to 6 frames in high-quality HI mode.

11. IEEE 1394 (FireWire) and USB Interfaces
The SIGMA SD10 can transmit the images from camera to computer with high-speed IEEE1394 (Firewire) and widely available USB interfaces. IEEE1394 (Firewire) interface delivers super-high-speed image data transmission rate.

12. Power Source
SD10 can be powered by two CR-V3 lithium batteries or four “AA” Ni-Mh batteries or four Nickel Zinc primary batteries or a dedicated AC adapter (included with the camera). Optional battery pack can hold four CR-V3 batteries or eight AA batteries more than enough power for most shoots. When using the camera indoors for an extended period of time or transferring the imaged to the computer, it is advisable to power the camera from a socket using the AC Adapter (provided).

13. Recording on CF cards and Microdrives
The Sigma SD10 records on reliable, high capacity Type I and Type II CF (CompactFlash) cards or a Microdrive to hold larger volumes of data.
 
14. 1.8”type TFT Monitor
The SIGMA SD10 is equipped with a large 1.8” appr.130,000 dot low temperature polysilicon TFT-LCD monitor with white LED on the back panel, which displays images, menus and histogram. The coverage area of the LCD monitor is 100%, of that seen from the viewfinder and thanks to the LCD-monitor, the composition can also be seen easily. By operation of +/- Controller, three types of screen display can be chosen; thumbnail display (9 images simultaneous display), Single-Image display, and a Zoom-in display (the area of magnification can be freely chosen by the 4-Way Controller). By pressing the INFO button, detailed image information can be displayed on the TFT-LCD monitor, such as shutter speed, aperture value etc.

15. NTSC/PAL
SIGMA SD10 camera’s video output system can be switched between PAL system (used in Europe, etc.,) and NTSC system (in Japan and the U.S., etc.). This means that video output of SIGMA SD10 pictures is possible in many parts of the world.

16. Wireless Flash Photography With Exclusive EF-500 DG SUPER
It is possible to enjoy the S-TTL Wireless Flash, if two optional electronic EF-500 DG SUPER flashguns are used. In the “Wireless Flash” mode, the camera will control the flash power level automatically.
 

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