The Sigma fp L is a unique camera. This tiny camera — one of the smallest cameras Sigmas made — features a 61-megapixel sensor. You read that correctly. A camera small enough in your pocket packs a 61-megapixel sensor, making it one of the highest-resolution cameras available.
Joining the original Sigma fp in the fp line, the fp L earns its spot. It builds up the line’s autofocus, making notable improvements to the hybrid autofocus. Additionally, it incorporates a few new features such as crop zoom, a feature unique to smartphone cameras.
Sigma fp L overview
fp L records 8-bit 4K video
The fp L records 8-bit 4K 30 fps video internally. Also, if you want, you can externally record RAW video at the same resolution. To record RAW, you need to record the video to either an external recorder or record the video as 12-bit CinemaDNG files to an SSD. DCI 4K recording is another option. However, this is only works when recording to an external recorder also. Additionally, the camera supports true 24p video, zebras, focus peaking and a waveform display.
We’ve seen many major camera models receive webcam support over the past year. It’s an important feature for many. The fp L can work as a webcam via USB-C.
Sigma adds crop zoom to the fp L
Leveraging such a high pixel count thanks to its sensor, the fp L can zoom and crop images without extensive image quality reduction. This led Sigma to incorporate a crop zoom in the camera’s video and photo modes. The camera can record full HD quality at up to 5x zoom. It’s all done using cropping, no digital enhancement.
fp L uses a hybrid autofocus system
Sigma put a lot of attention into boosting the camera’s autofocus system. According to Sigma, the camera features “high-precision” contrast AF alongside hybrid phase-detection AF. This is a big improvement over the fp’s contrast-detect system. This new AF system is capable of tracking moving subjects for video and photo, utilizing eye-detect autofocus and subject tracking.
Charging
The Sigma fp L supports USB charging, even while it’s off. So, you can continue to record or use it as a webcam as it’s charging. It can connect to mobile batteries, so you can charge the camera even when there isn’t an outlet nearby.
Optional viewfinder
Sigma also unveiled an optional EVF-11 viewfinder for the fp L. It’s a 3.69-million dot OLED viewfinder and is tiltable upwards by 90 degrees. It attaches through the USB-C port and supports USB-C passthrough with an external SSD. However, there’s no SSD passthrough.
Breakdown
- 61-megapixel full-frame sensor
- Hybrid phase-detection autofocus
- “High precision” contrast autofocus
- Tracks moving objects (for both photo and video)
- Eye-detection autofocus
- Subject tracking
- 8-bit 4K 30 fps video internally
- 8-bit 4K 30 fps RAW recording with an external recorder or as 12-bit CinemaDNG files to an SSD
- True 24p video
- Zebras, focus peaking, and waveform display
- DCI 4K, only to an external recorder
- USB-C charging while the camera is on
- Webcam support
- Up to 5 times by cropping
- 3.69-million dot OLED viewfinder
Pricing and availability
The Sigma fp L releases mid-April for $2,499. The optional EVF-11 viewfinder releases the same day for $699.
