Sigma BF: the small 24×36 box that plays it ultra minimalist

Champion of multi -brand compatible optics, Sigma is also an iconoclastic cameras designer. And the Japanese optician does this with a compact with interchangeable optics called BF (for Best friend ?). A hybrid housing of less than 400 grams in L frame (shared by Leica, Panasonic and Sigma) which plays the ultra -rimistry card.

After its FP boxes and FP Lcompact but still capable of 4K video or equipped with 61 MP sensor, Sigma reviews its vision of the ultra compact hybrid with a refined BF to the extreme. This new device has only three buttons – ignition/extinction, reading and options – a wheel, a central selection button and a trigger … and that's it.

This simplification is also to be found on the material side: the case comes from a single block of aluminum and the whole software interface has been reinvented to go to the simplest and fastest. Forget the extension options and the myriads of submenus: Sigma promises the essentials, namely the adjustment of speed, opening and ISO. We will also find the exposure compensation and color rendering.

Proven sensor and electronic shutter

At the heart of this ultra compact hybrid, the 24 MP sensor is very similar to the classic Sony 24 Mpx found in many previous competitions of the competition. Foveon sensor therefore, but a classic Bayer matrix sensor. A component whose ISO range goes from 100 to 102,400 basic ISO, but which can be lowered to surprisingly low thresholds: sensitivity can thus be down to ISO (6, 12, 25, ISO).

To perfect the simplicity of the device, the mechanical stabilization of the sensor is not there, any more than the mechanical shutter, which gives way to a 100 % electronic shutter. You have to hope that the reading speed will be sufficient to avoid the effects of deformation of the verticals on the fast subjects (Rolling Shutter).

Unibody aluminum case

This small box of 388 grams (446 g with the battery) is, without optics, in a jacket pocket with its reduced dimensions (129.5 x 73.7 x 35.6 mm). But the BF should suffer, like all too light and compact hybrids, from a problem of balance with too large optics, as we saw with the Panasonic Lumix S9.

To limit this effect, Sigma has used a single -piece so -called Unibody design in the jargon. The box body thus comes from a single block of machined aluminum for 7 hours. An interesting design for heat dissipation, but also to maintain sufficient rigidity up to a certain weight threshold of optics.

As such, it is interesting to recall that Sigma has a nice range of small light and compact fixed focal lengths whose mind sticks with this case.

Video and style

Sigma did not push minimalism to the extreme: the BF was not stripped of the video capacities of its electronic components like Leica does with its M. He can also benefit from a log mode in Video fashion. Capable of shooting in 6K (probably in full sensor so -called Open Gate) Without electronic stabilization, the BF can stabilize video shoots in 4K mode. But not in photo mode: so be careful at your speeds!

In terms of connectors, the BF is still going to the essentials: a single USB-C socket at the Standard 10 Gbit (USB 3.2) is there. There is no SD memory card location. The file recording is done on integrated flash memory – 230 GB which can receive 14,000 JPEG, 4,300 uncompressed RAW photos or 2 h 30 of video with maximum quality standard.

Camera as much as concept design, the BF will be available in two shades: black and silver (silver). And Sigma promises to push the care given to the style of the silver version by offering some of its small optics in a silver version also.

Many questions arise as for this BF, as much in terms of pure performance (image quality, lack of stabilization, etc.) as in terms of ergonomics, with the absence of a viewfinder and its ultra format (too much? ) compact. But one thing is certain: with a young generation of creators accustomed to target by the screen and more sensitive to style and compactness than to technical specifications, this little BF will undoubtedly appear as a creation tool as an accessory style.

The Sigma BF should be available during the month of April. Its international rate is $ 1999 excluding taxes, which should result in around € 2,400 including tax, but we will not fail to update the price as soon as Sigma France has communicated it.