Sigma BF overview: the proper digicam for a minimalist 

Sigma’s new $2,000 digicam is lacking so many options that you simply won’t take the product severely. The Sigma BF has no tilt or flip-out display, scorching shoe or chilly shoe, any kind of viewfinder, mechanical shutter, 4K 60, microphone port, or in-body stabilization. There isn’t even a hyperlink to attach your shoulder strap. The record of lacking options is lengthy, and as somebody who’s used to skilled “do-it-all” cameras, it was rather a lot to let go of.

But I feel you must attempt. After a number of weeks of utilizing it, the Sigma BF gained me over with its daring design, intelligent controls, clear software program, and talent to create beautiful photographs. It’s rather a lot to get used to, however the outcomes are price it.

The digicam seems to be in contrast to anything in the marketplace. Its physique is constructed from a single block of aluminum, and its controls have been pared all the way down to just some buttons. The result’s a surprisingly easy-to-operate digicam you may take virtually anyplace — so long as anyplace doesn’t embrace skilled work. I can’t see myself utilizing this in a studio or as a video digicam. But as a high-end point-and-shoot, the digicam will get unbelievable outcomes with out overthinking it.

The physique’s minimalistic and daring design is paired with sharp corners and edges. It isn’t a very snug digicam to carry, however to not the purpose the place it could damage. Using it with one hand is difficult, and the dearth of a second strap hyperlink is a bit infuriating. Sigma desires you to make use of this digicam with a wrist strap, however I’d somewhat simply have the choice for each. You might add a hyperlink to the tripod mount, however that’s an odd and pretentious resolution.

I’m extra welcoming of Sigma’s resolution to remove a bunch of dials from the digicam and go for only a single one on the again. That dial grew to become instrumental in how I used the digicam. In tandem with a small pill-shaped show above it, the dial permits you to simply cycle by means of settings and alter them on the fly. I do want there was a method to remove which choices you cycle by means of as a result of I usually didn’t want all of them. But the dial additionally made me soar between inventive choices like side ratio and movie simulations much more usually. It compelled me to check out some new seems to be and compositions. It made taking photographs enjoyable.

Another neat characteristic of the dial is that it turns into an publicity compensation management once you’re half urgent the shutter button. From there you may simply do some fast publicity adjustments. It’s a intelligent trick and genuinely helpful. The BF’s different buttons can do some neat tips, too. If you relaxation your finger on the playback key, it’ll present you your final photograph taken till you elevate your finger once more. It’s a neat means this digicam leans into its trendy options.

The interface’s simplicity pairs effectively with the digicam’s all-around velocity. It activates virtually immediately. Switching between modes is swift. Sensor readout is fast. Continuous taking pictures is first rate (for a full body digicam). Accessing your photograph library is simply as zippy.

All the photographs will be reviewed on a big, brilliant, and fairly sharp 3.2-inch display and saved on a 230GB inside SSD. There are not any expandable storage choices, although. This means you must be much more diligent about backing up photographs and ensuring you don’t run out of house. Personally I’m not too bothered by this resolution, however I’m anxious about what occurs if the inner storage fails.

I might perceive this resolution higher if Sigma had a great smartphone app for photograph transfers. But robust luck. No app and no SD playing cards means you may solely switch photographs with a bodily cable. Whether you contemplate this a dealbreaker or not, I feel we are able to all agree that cameras in 2025 ought to all have each inside and expandable storage.

The photographs themselves look nice, such as you’d anticipate from a full body digicam. They’re sharp, vigorous, and filled with particulars. My overview unit got here with Sigma’s up to date 50mm F/2 lens, which is an ideal match for this digicam. Even in low mild, I discovered that the noise created by excessive ISO was effectively maintained. The grain itself was soothing and had very film-like traits, particularly when utilizing a few of Sigma’s built-in movie seems to be.

You can discover 13 movie simulations on the BF, and that needs to be sufficient for most individuals to search out one thing they like right here. My favourite ones are Warm Gold, Teal & Orange, and Rich. I largely stored utilizing the Warm Gold, which gained me over with its heat tones, muted reds, and desaturated colours. Unfortunately, there’s no method to create your personal customized movie simulations proper now, which seems like a missed alternative. Custom Fujifilm movie simulations have created on-line communities of photographers round its cameras who share their very own formulation to assist others obtain totally different seems to be.

The digicam’s auto focus system has impressed me too. It is snappy, has first rate focus monitoring, and detects faces and animals very well. I did discover extra focus inhaling video, however I discovered it much more dependable when taking photographs.

Video is a little bit of an afterthought, although. The digicam helps 6K as much as 30FPS, and that footage does look nice. You can movie in H.264 and H.265 in Sigma’s Log coloration codec, and there’s 1080p gradual movement as much as 120fps. But I do assume utilizing this digicam for video highlights the failings of its minimalistic design. Changing settings on the fly turns into rather a lot more durable, lack of a tilt display makes it extra cumbersome, weak battery life doesn’t assist both, and no optical stabilization equals extra shaky clips. I’m not saying you gained’t get good video clips with this digicam, however its most important focus is certainly in images.

For a $2,000 digicam, there’s a lot that’s lacking right here. And giving this a numerical rating was more durable than anticipated. Despite its lengthy record of cons, I had an absolute blast utilizing this digicam for the previous few weeks and even took a few of my favourite photographs ever, however I can also’t suggest it to everybody as a result of it merely gained’t fulfill everybody’s wants. If you’re in search of a hybrid powerhouse that may do all of it, look elsewhere. If you’re in search of an thrilling and trendy digicam that’s enjoyable to make use of, takes nice photographs, has intelligent usability options, and simply seems to be beautiful, the BF is a implausible selection.

I feel this digicam will go away a long-lasting impression within the images world, not just for its daring design, however its agency dedication to simplicity. It could be very exhausting to foretell if the Sigma BF can be a industrial success. The price ticket alone would possibly discourage lots of people from ever wanting into this digicam. But in the event you’re one and discover your curiosity piqued, it has a great likelihood at profitable your coronary heart. It actually did mine.