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Expert Recommendation
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Overview
With outstanding image quality from a class leading DSLR-sized image sensor, a wide angle view from a sharp lens, a well-built compact body, the Sigma DP1 is the best-in-class compact digital camera for photographing interiors, producing images with minimal distortion.
My Best In Class Pick
Sigma DP1
This camera is a trendsetter featuring one of the largest image sensors among compacts. The camera produces outstanding image quality because of its sharp low distortion 28mm wide-angle lens, made by leading lens manufacturer Sigma.
It uses a 14 megapixel (4.69x3 layers of R,G,B color sensitive pixels) FOVEON X3 direct image sensor (2652 × 1768 × 3 layers, click here for details) as used in the Sigma SD14 digital SLR thus making it the most affordable compact camera with such a sensor. With this sensor, the camera can capture a wider brightness range that is frequently required for typically lit interiors (e.g. scenes with bright lights or with sunlight coming through open window has a wider brightness range than a conventional cameras can capture). The feature helps avoid blown-out highlights.
Interior photography invariably requires a wide-angle view. Unfortunately with wider angle views comes increased barrel distortion (inward bending of straight vertical objects near the corners) because of optical design constraints. However the Sigma DP1 bucks the trend and produces merely a 0.4% barrel distortion.
The camera offers full manual controls including a RAW mode, which is a desirable feature for photographing interiors With it one can remove color cast (artificial lighting can cause superimposition of unsightly blue, orange, or even green color casts on image), as one can adjust the white balance (process of removing unrealistic color casts) later during image conversion to a more popular image format (e.g. JPG or TIFF) with supplied software.
The camera also has an Aperture Priority mode (i.e. one can set the lens aperture while the camera decides on the other parameters). Frequently, small f/8 settings are used to improve the depth of field, which is a required feature for photographing interiors to have a sharp focus everywhere.
Image quality is good with plenty of details giving 10 Megapixel DSLRs a run for their money.
Nevertheless have a look at pros & cons before committing to it.
Comparison with Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
The Sigma DP1 has better image quality (wider dynamic range, less noise) because of its much larger sensor. Nevertheless the Panasonic LX3 is a close second, armed with 2.5x zoom lens (The Sigma DP1 has a fixed focal length lens), faster performance, image stabilization and an AF assist lamp.
Comparison with Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500
Better image quality owing to its much larger sensor. Availability of a RAW mode.
Pros
- +Equipped with one of the largest (around 6x in size to that of LX3) sensor among compacts
- +Good quality lens with minimal distortion
- +Good image quality with plenty of details
- +Hot shoe for accessories (e.g. external flash or EVF mounting)
- +Full manual controls including RAW mode
Cons
- -Lacking AF assist lamp (minor if lighting is not too dim)
- -Lacks optical image stabilization (minor as photographing interiors usually requires shooting with a tripod)
- -Sluggish performer (Not meant for snappy shooter. You have to be patient with it.)
Where to buy
Sigma DP1
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Best Price:
$599
See It »
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
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| Price | $599.00 | $402.09 | $279.00 | |
| Size (W x H x D) | 4.5 x 2.3 x 2.0 in. | 4.3 x 2.3 x 1.1 in. | 3.7 x 2.3 x 0.9 in. | |
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Sensor Size
Most digital cameras, even most digital SLRs, have sensors that are smaller than a standard frame of 35 mm film (36 x 24 mm). These smaller sensors have a number of effects on the captured image and the use of the camera, including an increased depth of field, decreased light sensitivity, increased pixel noise, and increased degree of enlargement.
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20.7 x 13.8 mm | 7.9 x 5.9 mm | 6.0 x 4.4 mm | |
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Effective Sensor Resolution
The Effective Sensor Resolution tells you the total number of pixels that are recorded when you take a picture. The units are MP, which stands for megapixels or millions of pixels. For outstanding fine compression prints, 3MP is required for 5x7's, 7.1MP for 8x10's, and 10.9MP for 11x14's. The effective sensor resolution is only one of many important factors that will determine the quality of the photograph when displayed or printed at different sizes.
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4.6 megapixels x 3 | 10.1 megapixels | 10.1 megapixels | |
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Shutter Lag Time (including auto-focus time)
This is the time from fully pressing the shutter button until the image is captured. Longer shutter lag times make it more difficult to capture the desired moment.
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1.5 - 1.7 sec | 0.3 sec | 0.6 sec | |
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Min Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. On any 35 mm film camera, a 30 mm or less lens is considered a wide-angle lens.
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28 mm | 24 mm | 25 mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 1.0x | 2.5x | 5.0x | |
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Image Stabilization Available
Image stabilization features are designed to reduce the blur that results from normal, minute shaking of a lens due to hand-held shooting. However, image stabilization does not prevent motion blur caused by the movement of the subject or by extreme movements of the camera.
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No | Yes | Yes | |
| Auto Focus Assist Light Available | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Aperture Priority Mode Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| RAW mode | Yes | Yes | No | |
| External Flash Connection Available | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Battery Life | 250 shots | 380 shots | 280 shots | |
| Image Quality | ||||
| Barrel Distortion (%) | 0.4% (lower than average) | 0.5% (lower than average) | 0.3% (lower than average) | |
| Corner to corner sharpness | Excellent | Very Good | Good | |
| Dynamic Range | Excellent | Good | Average | |
| Image Noise | Very Good | Good | Average | |
| Fine details in image | Excellent | Very good | Good | |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Panasonic’s association with leading lens manufacturer Leica has helped them produce cameras with good quality lenses and the Panasonic LX3 is their top-of line product featuring a 24mm (focal length equivalent to that on a 35mm film camera) ultra wide-angle 2.5x zoom lens.
The camera produces images with low barrel distortion (merely 0.5%) at its widest angle view zoom setting.
The camera also offers full-featured manual controls including a RAW mode and a useful Aperture Priority mode.
The Intelligent Exposure function automatically controls the ISO sensitivity. It increases the exposure of only the darkened areas because of backlighting (e.g sunlight coming through windows, etc.) or insufficient flash lighting to capture the scene as you see it by suppressing the extreme brightness and darkness in the picture.
The overall image quality is good.
Comparison with Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500
Better image quality (less noise, a bit more dynamic range), availability of RAW mode.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Sharp low distortion lens
- +Hot-shoe for mounting accessories (e.g external flash)
- +Full manual controls including RAW mode
- +AF assist lamp and image stabilization
Cons
- -Small sensor
Where to buy
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
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Best Price:
$402
See It »
- Highly Recommended at DPReview.com
- Dave's Pick at Imaging-Resource.com
- Rated Very Good by CNET.com
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500
The Panasonic FX500 is a premium ultra-compact camera featuring a 25mm ultra wide-angle 5x zoom lens.
The camera produces images with class-leading low barrel distortion (merely 0.3%) at its widest angle view zoom setting.
The camera also offers full-featured manual controls and a useful Aperture Priority mode. It also features an Intelligent Exposure function that automatically controls the ISO sensitivity to increase the exposure of only the darkened area due to backlighting (e.g sunlight coming through windows, etc.)
The overall image quality is good.
Comparison with Ricoh GR DIGITAL II
Less distortion, wider angle view. The GR Digital II has a fixed focal lens, while the Panasonic FX500 has a 5x zoom lens making it more versatile.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Low barrel distortion in images
- +Full manual controls
- +AF assist lamp and image stabilization
Cons
- -No RAW mode
- -Small sensor (50% smaller than LX3)
- -High image noise
Where to buy
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500
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Best Price:
$279
See It »
Ricoh GR DIGITAL II
This is a premium ultra compact digital camera from Ricoh. It features a full manual mode, including Aperture/Shutter priority and a RAW mode. It features a fixed 28mm focal length wide angle lens.
Comparison with Ricoh Caplio GX200
Less barrel distortion in images.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Low barrel distortion in images
- +Full manual controls
- +AF assist lamp and image stabilization
Cons
- -Costly
- -Fixed focal length lens
- -High image noise
Where to buy
Ricoh GR DIGITAL II
Ricoh Caplio GX200
This is top of line offering from Ricoh. The camera features a 24mm ultra wide-angle 3x zoom lens. It also offers a full manual mode including Aperture/Shutter priority and a RAW mode However the high barrel distortion (1.4%) mars this otherwise good camera.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Full manual controls
- +AF assist lamp and image stabilization
Cons
- -High barrel distortion in images
- -Very costly
- -High image noise
Where to buy
Ricoh Caplio GX200
How It Works
You tell us your budget, intended uses, and desired features. We show you personalized recommendations from unbiased experts to quickly identify the best digital camera for you.
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How to Pick Digital Cameras
- For Travel Photos
- For Photos of Children or Pets
- For Action or Sports Photos
- For Photos in Low Light
