Why it matters: Sigma has introduced a new full-frame mirrorless camera designed for those that prefer to focus on shooting rather than fiddling with excessive buttons, dials, and settings. The new Sigma BF features a 24.6-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated CMOS sensor inside of a unibody chassis carved from a single piece of aluminum over a seven-hour period.
Instead of the usual array of dials and buttons on the top of the camera, you get a single shutter button.
Around back, it is mostly more of the same. Next to the 3.15-inch fixed touchscreen LCD are three pressure-sensitive haptic buttons and a dial for navigating a refined user interface. There's also a small status monitor that shows the current active setting, further decluttering the main display. A power button can be found on the right side of the body, and there's a tripod mount on the bottom.
Sigma has baked in 13 preset color modes including standard, warm gold, sunset red, and monochrome for a customized look without having to pop into an editing program. Most serious photographers will probably bypass this feature, but it is there should you want to play around with it.
There's no viewfinder, nor is there a memory card slot. All images and videos are stored on a 230 GB internal storage solution that can hold up to 14,000 JPEG files, 4,300 uncompressed RAW images, or up to 2.5 hours of 6K video. In continuous shooting mode, the camera can capture up to eight frames per second.
The BP-81 battery back is removable and according to the Japanese camera maker, you can expect to get around 260 still photos or up to an hour of recording per charge. A USB-C connector is used for data transfer and quick charging, we're told.
The Sigma BF is available to pre-order now priced at $1,999 without a lens in your choice of black or silver. It is compatible with L-Mount lenses from Sigma, Panasonic, and Leica. Look for it to ship this April.
Sigma's BF full-frame mirrorless camera redefines minimalism with no memory card slot
