The Sigma BF (2024) is a 61 MP full-frame L-mount mirrorless with an all-electronic shutter — there is no mechanical focal plane shutter. The DNG exposure counter tells you how many times the sensor has been activated, but carries no mechanical wear implications.
Check Exposure Count →The Sigma BF (Beautiful Feeling, 2024) is Sigma’s second L-mount full-frame mirrorless after the fp/fp L. It uses a 61 MP BSI CMOS sensor (the same resolution class as the fp L and Sony A7R V) in a larger, more ergonomic aluminum body with a proper grip and built-in EVF. Like the fp series, the BF operates exclusively with an electronic shutter — silent, vibration-free shooting up to 1/8000 s, but no mechanical curtain wear of any kind.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Shutter Type | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma BF | 2024 | 61 MP FF BSI CMOS | Electronic only | DNG |
| Sigma fp L | 2021 | 61 MP FF BSI CMOS | Electronic only | DNG / X3F |
| Sigma fp | 2019 | 24.6 MP FF BSI CMOS | Electronic only | DNG / X3F |
| Leica SL3 | 2024 | 60 MP FF BSI CMOS | Mechanical + Electronic | DNG |
exiftool -ShutterCount yourfile.DNG in a terminal. ExifTool reliably reads the Sigma DNG MakerNote counter.Because there is no mechanical shutter, the usual shutter count guidance does not apply. Instead, evaluate these factors when purchasing a used Sigma BF:
| What to Check | How |
|---|---|
| Sensor condition | Shoot a blank wall at f/11–f/16 and examine for dust, dead pixels, or banding |
| Body condition | Inspect the all-aluminum body for dents, scratches, or mount damage |
| Electronic contacts | Check L-mount contacts for corrosion or wear from repeated lens changes |
| Battery capacity | Verify the BP-61 battery holds a full charge — older cells may show reduced runtime |
| EVF condition | Check the built-in EVF for burn-in or irregular brightness |
No. The Sigma BF is electronic-shutter only — there is no mechanical focal plane curtain. This design choice ensures completely silent operation and eliminates mechanical shutter shock, but it also means there is no traditional shutter count or rated lifespan.
The Sigma BF outputs compressed DNG (Adobe Digital Negative) natively, making it compatible with virtually all major RAW editors (Lightroom, Capture One, darktable, RawTherapee) without additional plugins. Unlike the Sigma fp and fp L, the BF does not offer the proprietary X3F format.
Yes. All electronic-shutter cameras can exhibit rolling shutter (a skewing effect with fast-moving subjects). The Sigma BF uses a standard BSI CMOS sensor (not a stacked sensor), so rolling shutter can be noticeable with very rapid panning or fast subject movement. For sports or action photography, this is worth considering.
Both cameras share the same 61 MP sensor and L-mount. The BF (2024) is larger with a real grip and built-in EVF, outputs only DNG, and is more ergonomically suited to traditional photography. The fp L is the world’s smallest/lightest full-frame camera, outputs DNG and X3F, and is favored for cinema and gimbal work.
Yes — drop a DNG file from the Sigma BF into shuttercount.app and the tool will display the exposure counter. Note that this counter tracks total electronic exposures, not mechanical shutter actuations (the BF has none).