Gentec International announces the launch of Sigma’s dp2 Quattro digital camera, one of their new generation of high image quality compact cameras incorporating a newly developed Foveon X3 direct image sensor.

Unique among image sensors, the Foveon direct image sensor is similar to traditional colour film in that its multiple layers capture all of the information that visible light transmits. Along with Sigma’s proprietary image processing technology, this sensor produces incredible resolution with richer, deeper colours that are more faithful to the scene than ever before.

Every aspect of the new dp2 Quattro has been completely redesigned, from the sensor and processing engine to the lens and body. The dp2 Quattro embodies Sigma’s philosophy of creating cameras that deliver the highest level of performance to produce photographic works of art.

Significant features of the new dp2 Quattro include:

Optimized for image quality
Thanks to its optimized design featuring a 30mm fixed focal length lens (45mm full-frame equivalent) and integrated body, the dp2 Quattro offers both sensor and lens performance at the highest level. Along with its exceptional handling performance with a balanced shape, layout, and weight distribution, the highly intuitive dp2 Quattro allows photographers to concentrate fully on photography and leverage the camera’s potential to produce outstanding images.

The world’s only image capture system to use vertical colour separation technology
Leveraging the light absorption characteristics of silicon, the sensor comprises three layers of photodiodes, each at a different depth within the silicon and each corresponding to a different RGB colour. Almost all other image sensors are mosaic sensors, which use an array of RGB colour filters in a single horizontal plane to capture colour information. Each pixel is assigned only one of the three colours and cannot capture all three colours at once. In contrast, the Foveon direct image sensor captures colour vertically, recording hue, value, and chroma accurately and completely for each pixel.

In the Foveon direct image sensor, there are no colour filters, which cause a loss of information transmitted by light. Moreover, there is no low-pass filter needed to correct the interference caused by a colour filter array. Finally, unlike the data from other sensors, which requires artificial interpolation to “fill in” missing colours, the data from the Foveon direct image sensor is complete for every single pixel and requires no interpolation. The unique
technological principle of this sensor produces consistently outstanding image quality.

Newly developed Foveon X3 Quattro direct image sensor now featuring 39 megapixel-equivalent ultra-high resolution
The newly developed Foveon X3 Quattro is the latest generation of this unique sensor. While retaining the distinctive characteristics of its predecessors, it offers an even higher level of image quality. In addition to 30% higher resolution, the volume of image data has become lighter, enabling much faster image processing and lower current consumption.

Newly developed TRUE III image processing engine
The dp2 Quattro features the newly developed TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) III. Thanks to new refinements, it is the ideal engine for processing the rich and complex image data produced by the new-generation Foveon X3 Quattro direct image sensor. A proprietary algorithm allows ultrafast processing of an immense volume of image data without any deterioration of the final images. The result is a high-definition image with outstandingly rich colour detail and an almost three-dimensional appearance.

The dp2 Quattro has a suggested retail price of $1,099.95 and will be available in Canada in July.