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| Image: Sigma |
Sigma has revealed the BF, a radically minimalist 24MP full-frame L-mount mirrorless camera.
It’s a compact mirrorless body with a single rear-plate dial and three buttons that provide haptic feedback when pressed. Sigma says the interface has been designed to be simple and intuitive. Other than these three rear buttons, the camera has shutter and power buttons.
It offers phase-detection autofocus, which is combined with a subject recognition system designed to detect humans, dogs and cats: a first for Sigma.
The BF has 230GB of internal memory instead of any removable media cards and uses the USB slot to transfer data off the camera. Sigma says this is sufficient for 14,000 JPEGs, 4300 uncompressed DNG Raws or 2.5 hours of video shot in its highest quality settings.
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| Rendering: Sigma |
The body is milled from a single block of aluminum, which Sigma says is a first (though this may include caveats in the smallprint as both Leica and Hasselblad have made similar claims in the past). It weighs just 388g (13.7oz) without battery.
However, the camera has no mechanical shutter, which means it risks exhibiting rolling shutter when used to shoot fast-moving subjects. There’s also no stabilization.
The BF is a small rectangular body with a texture cut into the front surface to provide grip. A small settings display to the right of the fixed live view display displays either the ISO, shutter speed or aperture value, so that the main composition panel doesn’t have to have camera settings intruding on the view.
The BF can shoot at up to 8fps and has a rolling shutter figure of 24.8ms (1/40 sec) strongly suggesting that it’s using the same 24MP sensor that we’ve seen across many cameras over the past few years, and that it’s running in 12-bit readout mode. This blunts the overall dynamic range but also means that rolling shutter shouldn’t be too pronounced unless your subject is moving quite quickly.
In addition to stills, the BF can capture 6K video at up to 30p, or 4K footage derived from 6K capture. This can be in H.264 or H.265 and has the option to use Leica’s L-Log response curve for preserving flexibility for making tone and color adjustments in post.
There are no ports on the camera, other than a single, exposed USB-C socket on the side of the body. On the base there’s just a tripod socket and a catch to release the battery.
The Sigma BF will be available in a choice of black or silver, with both versions retailing for around $2000. Silver versions of Sigma’s i-series primes will be available in L-mount, to match the camera.
Manufacturer images
Press release:
Announcing the “Radically Simple” Sigma BF camera
Ronkonkoma, New York – SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the Sigma BF, a 24-megapixel full-frame L-Mount camera. The Sigma BF presents an uncompromising new vision for the digital camera. Stripped to the essence but packed with power, innovative yet rooted in the origins of photography, it is designed to accompany you throughout your day and to capture the spontaneous beauty of everyday life. The BF balances performance with simplicity and returns the focus to what matters most: your photographs. The Sigma BF will retail for $1,999 and be available in April 2025.
A radically simple camera that evokes the essence of photography
A full-frame mirrorless camera offering an unprecedented intuitive shooting experience
Staying close to the photographer, the Sigma BF captures the beauty that lies hidden in everyday life, and becomes the catalyst to be aware of that beauty.
The BF focuses on the joy of photography that only a camera as a tool can provide. By simplifying and stripping away all excess elements, this full-frame mirrorless camera redefines the process of taking a photograph as a natural act.
The unique user interface, which provides a new sense of connection between the photographer and the camera in a true seamless unibody, is more intuitive than ever with its pressure-sensitive haptic buttons and dial. The high-definition expression of the approximately 24-megapixel full-frame sensor and the reliable dual autofocus system bring your vision to life.
Key features
Simple, clear, and completely new user interface
The user interface has a completely new information structure compared to conventional digital cameras, with the main shooting-related settings stored on the live view screen, secondary settings in the optional menu, and management functions and detailed settings in the system menu. Users can easily operate the shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensitivity, EV compensation and color mode, along with other important shooting-related elements at the touch of a finger. Combined with the auto setting, the functions of the general shooting mode dial are also covered.
Clear live view and status monitor
The default live view screen displays only the minimum necessary information and can be changed to display no information at all. Since the currently active setting is displayed on the status monitor, the users can concentrate solely on composition and the subject on the live view screen.
Minimal controls and haptics
All controls are integrated into just three buttons, one dial, the shutter release, and the power button. The BF is the first mirrorless camera* to incorporate haptics into its Dial, Center button, Option button, and Playback button, resulting in minimal physical wear. The buttons are always accurate and comfortable to press. * As of February 2025, by Sigma.
Unibody structure
The BF is the first camera in history* to feature a true unibody, which boasts unprecedented rigidity. Each camera is carved from a single, solid block of aluminum over the course of seven hours. The reliable, comfortable weight of its seamless all-metal body harmonizes perfectly with any attached lens.
* As of February 2025, by Sigma.
Internal storage
The BF features 230 GB of internal memory, capable of storing more than 14,000 JPEG files, 4,300 uncompressed RAW images or 2.5 hours of video at the highest-quality setting, with the USB-C port offering fast charging and data-transfer speeds.
Various color modes
Thirteen different color modes are available to open up new avenues of creativity. The modes range from unique options like Teal and Orange, Powder Blue, and Warm Gold to creative yet versatile options such as Rich, and Calm.
Evolved autofocus
A hybrid autofocus system combining image phase detection and contrast detection utilizes state-of-the-art algorithms to capture subjects accurately and reliably. In addition to people, dogs and cats can be detected in the subject detection mode.
Video shooting (6K, L-Log)
The BF supports high-resolution 6K and L-Log recording, enabling video production that takes advantage of the wide dynamic range of a full-frame sensor.
Equipped with L-Mount
The L-Mount lens mount allows the camera to be used with a wide variety of interchangeable lenses for mirrorless cameras from Sigma as well as other L-Mount Alliance partners.
Sigma BF specifications
| Price | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $2000 |
| Body type | |
| Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Body material | Aluminum |
| Sensor | |
| Effective pixels | 25 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 25 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) |
| Image | |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 2,100,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | None |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | Internal only |
| Storage included | 230GB |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes |
| Microphone port | No |
| Headphone port | No |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions | 130 x 73 x 37 mm (5.12 x 2.87 x 1.46″) |
Author:
This article comes from DP Review and can be read on the original site.
