The Sigma DP1s (2009) refines the original DP1 with a larger 2.7″ LCD and faster startup while keeping the same first-generation Foveon X3 APS-C sensor and fixed 16.6mm f/4 lens (28mm equivalent). Shutter count is stored in X3F EXIF and readable directly via the shuttercount.app browser tool. Estimated shutter life: ~50,000–100,000 actuations.
Check Shutter Count →The Sigma DP1s was released in September 2009 as a revised version of the original DP1 (February 2008). It uses the same first-generation Foveon X3 APS-C sensor (2640 × 1760 pixels per layer, ~14 MP effective) and the same fixed 16.6mm f/4 lens (equivalent to 28mm on full-frame). Key improvements over the DP1: a larger 2.7-inch LCD (up from 2.5 inches), startup time reduced from ~4.5 seconds to ~2.9 seconds, and better AF responsiveness. ISO range remains 50–400. X3F RAW files embed the shutter count, readable via shuttercount.app or ExifTool.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Lens | Est. Shutter Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma DP1s | 2009 | 14 MP Foveon X3 APS-C (1st gen) | 16.6mm f/4 (28mm equiv) | ~50,000–100,000 |
| Sigma DP1 | 2008 | 14 MP Foveon X3 APS-C (1st gen) | 16.6mm f/4 (28mm equiv) | ~50,000–100,000 |
| Sigma DP2s | 2009 | 14 MP Foveon X3 APS-C (1st gen) | 24.2mm f/2.8 (41mm equiv) | ~50,000–100,000 |
| Sigma dp1 Merrill | 2012 | 46 MP Foveon X3 APS-C (Merrill) | 19mm f/2.8 (28mm equiv) | ~100,000 |
| Sigma dp1 Quattro | 2014 | 29 MP Foveon X3 APS-C (Quattro) | 19mm f/2.8 (28mm equiv) | ~100,000 |
exiftool -ShutterCount yourfile.X3F| Shutter Count | % of Est. Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 3,000 | < 6 % | Very low use — near new condition |
| 3,000 – 20,000 | 6 – 40 % | Low use — plenty of life remaining |
| 20,000 – 50,000 | 40 – 100 % | Moderate to high use — inspect carefully |
| 50,000 + | 100 %+ | Exceeded estimated life — shutter replacement risk |
The DP1s has a fixed, non-interchangeable 16.6mm f/4 lens. Check the front element for scratches and the LCD for dead pixels. The very slow write speed (~20–30 seconds per X3F shot on older cards) naturally limits actuation accumulation, so high counts are uncommon.
The DP1s addresses the original DP1's main practical criticisms: slow startup and slow AF. Startup improved from ~4.5 s to ~2.9 s. The LCD grew from 2.5 to 2.7 inches with improved brightness. AF is noticeably more responsive in the DP1s. Image quality from the same first-generation Foveon sensor is identical.
The 16.6mm f/4 (28mm equiv) lens is the defining characteristic of the DP1/DP1s line. At base ISO the 28mm-equivalent Foveon output is distinctive — high micro-contrast with a 3D rendering quality that many photographers find unique among digital cameras. The f/4 maximum aperture is narrower than the DP2/DP2s's f/2.8, limiting low-light capability.
First-generation X3F files from the DP1s are supported in Adobe Lightroom and Camera Raw, but Sigma Photo Pro (free) delivers superior tonal rendering of the Foveon colour science. For final output at base ISO, Sigma Photo Pro is recommended. For quick review and culling, any DNG-compatible viewer works after converting X3F to DNG via Sigma software.
Yes. X3F files from the DP1s embed the cumulative actuation count in the Sigma EXIF block. This is readable via shuttercount.app or exiftool -ShutterCount file.X3F.
The fixed lens is a 16.6mm f/4 — equivalent to approximately 28mm on a full-frame camera. The f/4 maximum aperture is a trade-off inherent to the wide-angle design; the DP2s uses a faster 41mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens.
The Sigma DP1x (2010) followed the DP1s with a revised body design and improved controls, using the same first-generation Foveon sensor. The generation leap came with the dp1 Merrill (2012), which used a new symmetric Foveon X3 Merrill sensor delivering approximately 46 MP effective resolution at the cost of even slower write speeds and a narrower optimal ISO range.