{"id":12070,"date":"2026-11-05T04:04:17","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T03:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2026\/11\/05\/whats-the-sigmas-fp2-for-making-sense-of-a-camera-that-fits-between-the-usual-categories\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T04:04:17","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T03:04:17","slug":"whats-the-sigmas-fp2-for-making-sense-of-a-camera-that-fits-between-the-usual-categories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2026\/11\/05\/whats-the-sigmas-fp2-for-making-sense-of-a-camera-that-fits-between-the-usual-categories\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Sigma\u2019s FP2 for? making sense of a camera that fits between the usual categories"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tIts basic feature set might seem pared back, but it can be many cameras to many people. And not just for video.<\/p>\n

\"SigmaDPReview.com<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n
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The Sigma FP2\u2019s modular camera concept means there are two ways to look at it: you can try to assess it based on what it is, or based on what it can be<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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So, for instance, you can say \u201cwhat good is it for video without a headphone socket?\u201d or you can recognize that either of its USB ports can be used for attaching headphones and that that\u2019s one potential setup. Meanwhile, a different user might build it into a rig with an external monitor or recorder that has a headphone out, with audio being delivered over HDMI.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
The Sigma FP2\u2019s small size and flexible connectors mean it can be used in a variety of ways.<\/figcaption>DPReview<\/span><\/figure>\n

Likewise, stills photographers who want the smallest possible camera need not add a grip, but those who\u2019re less squeezed for space can add one. It\u2019s the same story again with viewfinders or the flash hot shoe. If these are features you need, the FP2 can offer them, but it doesn\u2019t impose those decisions on other users. So a videographer wanting the least possible mass and the least awkward center of gravity can set up an FP2 on a gimbal more easily than most cameras, but the photographer who wants a grip and viewfinder can have that combination, too. On the days they want it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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How it compares<\/h2>\n

Its modular approach means that the Sigma FP2 doesn\u2019t have any direct competitors or, at least, any to which it can be easily compared, as most rivals tend to have more complete intrinsic<\/em> feature sets, rather than being designed to expand and adapt. In many cases, if your needs exactly dovetail with the features of a camera a major manufacturer has decided to make, then that will be the most cost-effective option. Especially as Sigma is a small-scale manufacturer in comparison to some of the electronics giants it\u2019s up against. But it\u2019s in situations where your needs haven\u2019t been precisely anticipated by one of the big camera makers that the FP2 becomes an interesting option.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s in situations where your needs haven\u2019t been precisely anticipated by one of the big camera makers that the FP2 becomes an interesting option.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

We\u2019re comparing the FP2 to Panasonic\u2019s small, low-cost, vlogging-focused S9. It uses a slower 24MP sensor and has in-body stabilization, but no option to add a viewfinder or shoot flash. Nor does it have the ability to use Panasonic\u2019s 32-bit float \/ XLR accessories, which the Sigma can, if you add the hotshoe accessory. We\u2019re also comparing the FP2 with the Nikon ZR, a higher-end video camera than the Panasonic. It\u2019s 40% larger than the Sigma but, like the Panasonic, is stabilized. It has a built-in hotshoe and manages to sync with a flash one third of a stop faster than the Sigma, despite being based on the same sensor.<\/p>\n

Once you start considering the Nikon ZR, Canon\u2019s very good EOS R6 V also comes into play, but it\u2019s 50% heavier and at least twice the size of the Sigma, making it quite a different prospect.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\nSigma FP2<\/th>\nNikon ZR<\/th>\nPanasonic Lumix
DC-S9<\/th>\n		Sigma fp<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
MSRP at launch<\/th>\n$2200<\/td>\n$2200<\/td>\n$1500<\/td>\n$1900<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Resolution<\/th>\n24.5MP<\/td>\n24.5MP<\/td>\n24.2MP<\/td>\n24.6MP<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sensor type<\/th>\nBSI CMOS
(Partially stacked)<\/td>\n		BSI CMOS
(Partially stacked)<\/td>\n		BSI CMOS<\/td>\nBSI CMOS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Image stabilization<\/th>\nNo<\/em><\/td>\nSensor-shift<\/em><\/td>\nSensor-shift<\/em><\/td>\nNo<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Continuous drive, FPS (Mech)<\/th>\n20 JPEG\/Raw<\/td>\n20 JPEG only<\/td>\n30 JPEG\/Raw<\/em><\/td>\n18 JPEG\/Raw<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Viewfinder<\/th>\nOptional (5.76M dots, 0.88x mag)<\/em><\/td>\nNo<\/em><\/td>\nNo<\/em><\/td>\nOptional (3.86M dots, 0.83x mag)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flash X-sync speed<\/th>\n1\/50 sec
(with opt. hotshoe)<\/em><\/td>\n		1\/60 sec<\/em><\/td>\nN\/A<\/em><\/td>\n1\/30 sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
VideoModes<\/th>\nProRes Raw (to SSD)
H.265\/L-Log 6K (10-bit)
H.264 (8-bit)<\/p>\n

-6K Open Gate \u2264 30p
-6K 16:9\/1.89:1 \u2264 60p
(30p in Raw)
-4K 3:2 OG\/16:9\/1.89:1 \u2264 60p
-4K 16:9\/1.89:1 \u2264 120p w\/ crop<\/td>\n

N-Raw\/R3D NE
ProRes Raw
H.265\/N-Log (10-bit)
H.264 (8-bit)<\/p>\n

Raw:
-6K 16:9 Raw \u2264 60p (30p in PR Raw)
-4K 16:9 Raw \u2264 60p
-4K 16:9 Raw \u2264 120p with crop (60P in PR Raw)<\/p>\n

H.264\/H.265:
\u2013 5.4K 16:9 \u2264 60p
\u2013 4K 16:9 \u2264 60p
\u2013 4K 16:9 \u2264 120p w\/ crop<\/p>\n

Open Gate promised in 2027<\/td>\n

H.265\/V-Log (10-bit)
H.264 (10-bit) (4K\/2K only)<\/p>\n

-6K Open Gate\/16:9\/1.89:1 \u2264 30p
-4K 16:9\/1.89:1 \u2264 30p
-4K 16:9\/1.89:1 \u2264 60p w\/ crop<\/td>\n

Cinema DNG (to SSD)
H.264 (8-bit)<\/p>\n

-4K \u2264 30p<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

32-bit float audio<\/th>\nYes
(with opt. accessories)<\/em><\/td>\n		Yes<\/em><\/td>\nNo<\/em><\/td>\nNo<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Video assist features<\/th>\nFocus peaking
Zebras
Shutter angle
False color
Waveforms
Desqueeze
709 Display Assist
Timecode in<\/td>\n		Focus peaking
Zebras
Waveforms
LUT Display Assist<\/p>\n

Desqueeze promised in 2027<\/td>\n

Focus peaking
Zebras
Shutter angle
Waveforms
Vectorscope
Desqueeze
LUT Display Assist<\/td>\n		Focus peaking
Zebras
Shutter angle
False color
EL Zone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Microphone port<\/th>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Headphone port<\/th>\nVia USB<\/em><\/td>\nYes<\/em><\/td>\nNo<\/em><\/td>\nYes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Record to SSD<\/th>\nYes<\/em><\/td>\nNo<\/em><\/td>\nNo<\/em><\/td>\nYes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Internal storage<\/th>\nYes (70GB)<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HDMI connector type<\/th>\nFull Sized<\/em><\/td>\nMicro<\/em><\/td>\nMicro<\/em><\/td>\nMicro<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I\/0 options<\/th>\n1 x USB-C (10Gbps, SSD, Charge\/Power Delivery, UVC\/UAC, Mic, Headphones, Remote)
1 x USB-C (480Mbps, Charge\/Power Delivery, Mic, Headphones, Remote, Viewfinder)<\/td>\n		1x USB-C (10Gbps, Charge\/Power Delivery, UVC\/UAC)<\/td>\n1X USB-C (10Gbps, Charge\/Power Delivery)<\/td>\n1x USB-C (5Gbps, SSD, UVC, Charge)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wi-Fi spec<\/th>\nNone<\/em><\/td>\nWi-Fi 5<\/em><\/td>\nWi-Fi 5<\/em><\/td>\nNone<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery life (CIPA, LCD)<\/th>\n370<\/em><\/td>\n350<\/em><\/td>\n470<\/em><\/td>\n280<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dimensions<\/th>\n113 x 70 x 42mm
(4.4 x 2.8 x 1.6\u2033)<\/td>\n		133 x 81 x 49mm
(5.2 x 3.2 x 1.9\u2033)<\/td>\n		126 x 74 x 47mm
(5.0 x 2.9 x 1.9\u2033)<\/td>\n		113 x 70 x 45mm
(4.4 x 2.8 x 1.8\u2033)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/th>\n460g (16oz)<\/td>\n630g (22oz)<\/td>\n486g (17oz)<\/td>\n422g (15oz)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

The elephant in the video studio is the FP2\u2019s lack of stabilization which, combined with its lack of front-facing screen pretty much rules it out for vlogging. But turn to more formal video, shot from a gimbal or sticks, and the Sigma suddenly becomes very competitive. Its Raw video isn\u2019t as size-optimized as Nikon\u2019s R3D NE but Pro Res RAW is an industry standard format. Its full-sized HDMI port makes it better suited to use with an external recorder or monitor and it offers a series of features, such as open gate shooting and desqueezed preview that the Nikon isn\u2019t getting until some time in 2027.<\/p>\n

The S9 is the better camera for handheld shooting and vlogging but the Sigma offers a Raw option and some very competitive high-res output. It can also support 4-channel audio and 32-bit float (the latter, ironically, through the use of Panasonic accessories that the S9 doesn\u2019t support). And, of course, its more modern sensor halves the rolling shutter, making it much more usable in modes such as open gate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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For stills<\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve mainly focused on its competitors with comparable sensors and no mechanical shutters, which has meant video-first cameras. And that absence puts the FP2 at a disadvantage as a stills camera, as its modular approach doesn\u2019t extend to you being able to add one.<\/p>\n

That said, the FP2 is the smallest full-frame mirrorless on the market and a well-built one, at that (you do feel you\u2019re getting a high-quality product, for your money). Its improved autofocus and flip-out screen, along with the much larger battery, make it a big step forward for photographers, compared with the original fp. If size is important to you, the FP2 is a strong contender and has the option to add a grip or viewfinder when needed (and to remove them, when not). We also think it\u2019s significantly nicer to use, for stills, than the S9.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Black<\/a>
Stills shooters can add the very flexible 5.76M dot viewfinder when they need it. Or remove it when they don\u2019t. Its tilting design is likely to be appreciated by some video shooters, too.<\/figcaption>DPReview<\/span><\/figure>\n

The relatively sparse selection of stabilized lenses in the L-mount system, combined with its lack of in-body stabilization holds it back as an everyday all-rounder. And, unsurprisingly, the bigger camera makers have addressed those needs very effectively. But, paired with small primes that have less need for stabilization and play better with its compact ethos, the Sigma delivers the most image quality available in a camera this size. And we don\u2019t doubt there will be photographers willing to work with its limitations to gain those capabilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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About the Author: <\/span>Richard graduated as a scientist but had a lot more fun writing and shooting for his university magazine. A number of years spent variously as a reporter, writer and editor on science and engineering titles combined his knowledge of science with his interest in images and words. But it was spotting the connections between emission spectra, white balance and all the nonsense he\u2019d taught himself playing around in Photoshop that helped kindle an interest in digital photography. Searching for a camera led to him discovering DPReview and Richard was recruited by Phil Askey in 2007. He\u2019s been combining his love of photography, communication and attention to detail (pedantry?) ever since.<\/p>\n

He has unusually strong opinions about lenses for the APS-C format.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Follow DPReview to ensure our independent journalism reaches your feeds.<\/p>\n

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