"...
30 megapixel Digital SLR which uses a new 10 layer Foveon sensor
...."
So ... that essentially means the same old 3 megapixel sensor, but now
*ten* layers! That's obviously a new "high" ... in a field we once called
"SPECMANSHIP!"
<> wrote in message
news: oups.com...
> Sigma Announces SD-30--30 Megapixel,Universal Lens Mount, Digital SLR
>
> Tokyo Japan. Sigma Corporation of Japan today announced a new 30
> megapixel Digital SLR which uses a new 10 layer Foveon sensor. The new
> model has been dubbed the SD-30.
>
> The SD-30 features a unique universal lens mount that enables lenses
> from any major manufacturer, without the need for adapters. Canon,
> Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, and Pentax lenses can all be used on the new
> body. Sigma spokesperson, G. Predimoto, stated: "the new mount is in
> response to the criticism that our earlier digital SLRs could only use
> the lenses with the Sigma SA mount."
>
> The new Foveon sensor, the X30M, has ten layers, each with 3
> mega-photodetectors per layer. Silicon color separation is used to
> separate colors into black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue,
> violet, gray, and white. Foveon claims that a ten layer sensor results
> in much better color accuracy than their old X3, three layer sensor.
> The Foveon sensor measures 32.4mm x 21.6mm, or 90% of a 35mm sensor.
> Foveon spokesperson, Carved Meat, stated: "now that we've redefined a
> pixel to be a photo-detector, it's allowed ups to create much
> higher-resolution sensors."
>
> The camera is very feature rich:
>
> -Universal lens mount
> -ISO 25-6400 with no noticeable noise
> -Concealed, pop-out, vertical grip
> -Titanium body
> -Communications: IEEE 1394 (Firewire) 800, USB 3.0, 802.11G, RS-232,
> 20mA Current Loop, ST506, IEEE 1284
> -5" touch-sensitive LCD (2 megapixel) with image preview, and
> integrated web browser
> -Adjustable viewfinder magnification, from 0.6x to 1.6x
> -Integrated anti-shake using optical image stabilization
> -Integrated, automatic, pop-up/pop-down flash
> -Hydrogen fuel cell instead of conventional lithium-ion battery
> -16 frame per second frame rate, with 132 image buffer
> -Universal memory card system, allows the use of Compact Flash,
> Smart-Media, Secure Digital, XD, and Memory Stick, all simultaneously
> -Universal flash interface allows the use of Canon Speedlite, Nikon
> Speedlight, -Minolta, Pentax, and Olympus flash attachments
> -Mirror Lock-Up and Mirror-Lock Down
> -Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Shoot Priority
> -Self Timer, 1 second to 1 hour
> -Movie mode allows 30 frame per second, MPEG4 encoded, video, with
> stereo sound (built in stereo microphone)
> -Watertight to 100 meters, no waterproof enclosure needed
> -Ultrasonic sensor cleaner, automatically senses dust and cleans itself
> -Universal Remote Control: Infrared, RF, Mechanical Cable, Electronic
> Cable
> -GSM/CDMA/TDMA/AMPS/iDEN integrated phone (headset required)
> -Integrated PDA, using Palm OS 6.0
> -Optional GPS transceiver for Compact Flash slot
> -Weight is 500 grams
>
> MSRP is US$800. Actual price set by dealer. Available on April 31, 2005.
>