The Sigma FP & FP L discontinued, what is next ?

[ermesjo]

The 24mp and 61mp models are now discontinued last week (beginning of June 2026). The 61mp fp l was a «modest» priced high-res model. So what is next Sigma ? Will Sigma release a 61mp BF, or will they wait until they can manufacture their new Foveon 62mp sensor ? As a L-mount user with Lumix S5ii/X I had a dream this spring to go high-res, slow-paced, but very focused on subjects. The Sigma FP’s and BF’s shure had/have it’s well defined niche!

 

[Travis Butler]

The 24mp and 61mp models are now discontinued last week (beginning of June 2026). The 61mp fp l was a «modest» priced high-res model. So what is next Sigma ? Will Sigma release a 61mp BF, or will they wait until they can manufacture their new Foveon 62mp sensor ? As a L-mount user with Lumix S5ii/X I had a dream this spring to go high-res, slow-paced, but very focused on subjects. The Sigma FP’s and BF’s shure had/have it’s well defined niche!

I suppose it’s not surprising, given how old they are, but still sad. ;_; While I kinda like the bf, the lack of a viewfinder is a killer for me; the fp has served me very well. (I probably use it for 80-90% of my shooting.)

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

I hold out hope that the Sigma CEO’s comment of “if I could make any camera, it would be a professional sports camera” but I’m prepared for disappointment. On the other hand, such a body would compliment their Sports lenses, and Panasonic seems reluctant to go that way, so who knows.

 

[dirk]

I do not think that there will be a BF with a high resolution sensor. The target group of that camera does not care about high resolution.

Secondly the BF is already expensive for a 24MP camera. Higher resolution sensors would make it even more expensive.

A sports camera would make sense. Especially for L-Mount.

 

[pdk42]

Fovean is dead isn't it? Can't see that happening.

But on the wider point, I'm very confused overall with Sigma's camera strategy. They seem hell bent on making quirky cameras that on any rationale basis are deeply flawed. What popularity they have seems more motivated by brand loyalty than anything else. Maybe they don't have the financial resources to make truly competitive cameras ?

 

[ermesjo]

CEO Yamaki still makes statements. He who lives, may see … Sigma CEO Yamaki March 11, 2026

 

[dirk]

I still hope for a Foveon sensor. I was always a fan of the Foveon images from the Sigma SD9 up to DP Merrill. Only after these models, the image quality was not the same anymore. Not really Foveon like. In my personal opinion.

 

[Travis Butler]

But on the wider point, I'm very confused overall with Sigma's camera strategy. They seem hell bent on making quirky cameras that on any rationale basis are deeply flawed. What popularity they have seems more motivated by brand loyalty than anything else. Maybe they don't have the financial resources to make truly competitive cameras ?

Define "any rationale basis"?

The fp is definitely not a cookie-cutter SLR-style box like the majority of cameras, but I have very rational reasons for liking it. The size/format means I can fit a 5-lens kit into a bag half the size my S5 requires. It's easy, by design, to fit it with custom grips; I have two I currently use, and I'm tempted to get a third wooden grip and try sanding it for a custom fit. And I much prefer the simple control scheme to something more complicated like the S5; the settings I use 99% of the time are easy to find and trigger without loads of redundant buttons getting in the way.

There's a reason the vast majority of my shots are with the fp.

I certainly won't claim they're for everyone, but I'm very glad they made something other than a standard SLR-style box.

 

[pdk42]

Define "any rationale basis"?

Well, where do I begin…

- Lack of tilting or swivelling rear screen.
- Weird after-thought external EVF that prevents use of flash and has no auto switching from the rear screen.
- Poor battery life.
- Only one top plate dial.
- No mechanical shutter and slow sensor readout - meaning guaranteed banding in low light.
- No IBIS.
- No grip.

I’m sure in the right hands it can take beautiful photos; and its compactness is hard to argue with, but the above list really does impose a lot of limitations.

 

[Travis Butler]

Well, where do I begin…

Ah - looking back, I see I was conflating 'rational basis/deeply flawed' and 'more motivated by brand loyalty' to get 'no rational basis for popularity', so that was what I was responding to; my apologies.

That said, I certainly disagree with many of these points:

- Lack of tilting or swivelling rear screen.

I think I've said this before, but this is a minor thing at most to me. A tilt/swivel rear screen is a nice-to-have; but on the cameras I've owned with one over the last couple of decades, I think I've used one fewer than 20 times. Once a year is not something I'm going to miss, and in fact I don't miss it at all on the fp.

- Weird after-thought external EVF that prevents use of flash and has no auto switching from the rear screen.

Yes, the awkward EVF is the one serious flaw I have with the camera.

- Poor battery life.

I honestly don't notice. I do have a couple of extra batteries; but I have had extra batteries for just about every camera I've owned in the last 10-15 years, including the S5. A battery on the fp lasts me 2-3 typical outings, and that's not much different than the S5.

- Only one top plate dial.

Another case of 'nice to have, not essential'. For my style of shooting, with manual lenses 80-90% of the time, I don't need a second dial; aperture goes on the lens, dial adjusts shutter or EV as desired.

- No mechanical shutter and slow sensor readout - meaning guaranteed banding in low light.

No, definitely not 'guaranteed'. The overwhelming majority of my indoor shooting has no banding; the only time I consistently get it is with DLP projected images.

- No IBIS.

That's a theoretical flaw, but in practice I almost never notice. I do put a 1/60 floor on shutter speed and let ISO float up to 6400; the fp's sensor handles high ISO very well.

- No grip.

As I said above, that's an advantage, not a flaw. If you don't need a grip, you save space; if you do need one, there's at least 15-20 different ones to choose from, so you can customize it to your liking. The two I use most often are the OEM 'small' rubberized grip and a third-party wooden grip; I've thought about getting a second one and sanding it down for a custom grip. I've also tried one where the grip is a metallic box with multiple tripod sockets along each side, giving you a lot of flexibility for tripod shooting.

I’m sure in the right hands it can take beautiful photos; and its compactness is hard to argue with, but the above list really does impose a lot of limitations.

Most of those limitations aren't limiting for me at all. And aside from the rational advantages I noted above, it's a camera I really enjoy shooting with. With the smaller lenses I prefer, I think it handles better than the S5; it fits my hand better, has a better movement arm, and is easier to hold for longer periods. I strongly prefer its simplified interface; the few controls I need are large and easy to operate, without extraneous buttons getting in the way. There's a reason I've used it for the overwhelming majority of my shooting in the years since I got it.

 

[pdk42]

Ah - looking back, I see I was conflating 'rational basis/deeply flawed' and 'more motivated by brand loyalty' to get 'no rational basis for popularity', so that was what I was responding to; my apologies.

That said, I certainly disagree with many of these points:


I think I've said this before, but this is a minor thing at most to me. A tilt/swivel rear screen is a nice-to-have; but on the cameras I've owned with one over the last couple of decades, I think I've used one fewer than 20 times. Once a year is not something I'm going to miss, and in fact I don't miss it at all on the fp.

Yes, the awkward EVF is the one serious flaw I have with the camera.

I honestly don't notice. I do have a couple of extra batteries; but I have had extra batteries for just about every camera I've owned in the last 10-15 years, including the S5. A battery on the fp lasts me 2-3 typical outings, and that's not much different than the S5.

Another case of 'nice to have, not essential'. For my style of shooting, with manual lenses 80-90% of the time, I don't need a second dial; aperture goes on the lens, dial adjusts shutter or EV as desired.

No, definitely not 'guaranteed'. The overwhelming majority of my indoor shooting has no banding; the only time I consistently get it is with DLP projected images.

That's a theoretical flaw, but in practice I almost never notice. I do put a 1/60 floor on shutter speed and let ISO float up to 6400; the fp's sensor handles high ISO very well.

As I said above, that's an advantage, not a flaw. If you don't need a grip, you save space; if you do need one, there's at least 15-20 different ones to choose from, so you can customize it to your liking. The two I use most often are the OEM 'small' rubberized grip and a third-party wooden grip; I've thought about getting a second one and sanding it down for a custom grip. I've also tried one where the grip is a metallic box with multiple tripod sockets along each side, giving you a lot of flexibility for tripod shooting.

Most of those limitations aren't limiting for me at all. And aside from the rational advantages I noted above, it's a camera I really enjoy shooting with. With the smaller lenses I prefer, I think it handles better than the S5; it fits my hand better, has a better movement arm, and is easier to hold for longer periods. I strongly prefer its simplified interface; the few controls I need are large and easy to operate, without extraneous buttons getting in the way. There's a reason I've used it for the overwhelming majority of my shooting in the years since I got it.

Well, I fully agree that it’s important to enjoy the gear we use and that is a very personal decision. I wouldn’t want to knock anyone’s choice. Handling and UI are often make or break - as many a Sony hater will tell you .

I have three absolute red lines with cameras - fixed rear screen, single top dial, and lack of EVF. Any one will rule a camera out for me. In the latter category, stick on EVFs are borderline unacceptable too since I’m yet to see one that really works well. Actually, the Sigma one is better than most - it swivels, it’s securely held to the camera, and it’s got excellent resolution and image quality. But the way it steals the flash capability and lacks an eye sensor is just indicative of an after thought approach.

I’m desperate for a small and compact “humpless” L Mount camera - but it needs an EVF, twin dials, and a tilt or swivel rear screen. Add IBIS and I’m sold!

But in the meantime, I really like the current Panasonic bodies - they tick all the boxes for me and I like the handling of them too. My OG S5 is still going strong and it delivers beautiful images.

 

[Travis Butler]

Well, I fully agree that it’s important to enjoy the gear we use and that is a very personal decision. I wouldn’t want to knock anyone’s choice. Handling and UI are often make or break - as many a Sony hater will tell you .

Heh. I will say I have been unimpressed with the ergonomics of any of the Sony models I’ve tried in the store, and the NEX-5 I owned was not one of my happier purchases. (At least it did better than the Nikon One and Canon EOS-M I tried…)

I have three absolute red lines with cameras - fixed rear screen, single top dial, and lack of EVF. Any one will rule a camera out for me. In the latter category, stick on EVFs are borderline unacceptable too since I’m yet to see one that really works well. Actually, the Sigma one is better than most - it swivels, it’s securely held to the camera, and it’s got excellent resolution and image quality. But the way it steals the flash capability and lacks an eye sensor is just indicative of an after thought approach.

EVF is the only red line for me, though it’s a big one. Way too many cases of the rear screen washing out. (Which is probably a reason tilt/swivel rear screens aren’t important for me, I usually find them just as vulnerable.)

I’m desperate for a small and compact “humpless” L Mount camera - but it needs an EVF, twin dials, and a tilt or swivel rear screen. Add IBIS and I’m sold!

I certainly wouldn’t say no to any of those! But EVF is the only one I have to have.

But in the meantime, I really like the current Panasonic bodies - they tick all the boxes for me and I like the handling of them too. My OG S5 is still going strong and it delivers beautiful images.

To be clear, I don’t dislike the S5; I like it better than most of the cameras I’ve owned in the past 20 years, with the E-M1 II as its main competitor (the Pen-F tops it, and I have a sneaking fondness for the GM5). But shooting with it doesn’t grab me the way the fp does; I mainly use it when I want to use a larger lens that doesn’t balance well on the fp.