Sigma’s new BF mirrorless camera has quickly drawn attention for its unique blend of striking design and deliberate minimalism. It sits in a niche spot—appealing if you value aesthetics and simplicity over sheer performance or flexibility.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this candid video explores the new Sigma BF camera’s unusual design philosophy, which intentionally removes features like a viewfinder, tiltable screen, and dual card slots to simplify shooting. Frost highlights how the camera's aluminum body, carved from a single block in a meticulous seven-hour process, emphasizes craftsmanship. Yet, he openly acknowledges potential drawbacks, like the absence of built-in stabilization, modest battery life (about 260 shots per charge), and the occasionally frustrating electronic-only shutter. Frost appreciates the internal storage (230 GB) that eliminates the need for memory cards, though he admits it's not ideal for those needing backup options.
Frost spends considerable time on usability. The control scheme, while extremely simplified—just a wheel and minimal buttons—proves initially confusing but ultimately intuitive. Frost describes a learning curve where initial complexity gives way to comfortable ease. However, he clearly notes that certain advanced tasks, like quickly verifying sharpness by zooming into photos, are awkwardly cumbersome. On balance, the minimalistic approach can feel liberating or limiting depending on your shooting style and expectations.
Key Specs
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Lens Mount: L-Mount
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Sensor Resolution: Actual: 25.3 MP, Effective: 24.6 MP
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Sensor Type: 36 x 24 mm Full-Frame BSI CMOS
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ISO Range: 100 to 102,400
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Shutter: Electronic Rolling Shutter, 1/25600 to 30 sec, Bulb Mode (up to 5 min)
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Video Recording: Internal: H.264/H.265, 6000 x 3000 at 29.97 fps, 1920 x 1080 up to 120 fps
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Image Stabilization: Digital (video only)
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Internal Storage: 230 GB, no external card slots
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Display: 3.15" Fixed Touchscreen LCD, 2.1 million dots
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Secondary Display: Rear LCD Status Display
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Autofocus: Continuous-Servo AF, Single-Servo AF, Full-Time Servo, Manual; Sensitivity -5 to +18 EV
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Battery: BP-81 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, approx. 260 shots per charge
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Ports: 1x USB-C Input (power), 1x USB-C Data Output (shared with power)
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Built-In Microphone: Stereo (top location)
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Continuous Shooting: Up to 8 fps (350 raw frames / 1000 JPEG frames)
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Image Formats: DNG, JPEG; 14-bit depth
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Dimensions: 5.1 x 2.9 x 1.4 inches (130.1 x 72.8 x 36.8 mm)
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Weight: 13.7 oz (body only), 15.7 oz (with battery)
Performance-wise, Frost points out that the BF camera’s autofocus is Sigma's best yet—responsive and accurate, with competent tracking. He admits it’s not class-leading but finds it sufficient for typical use, provided you manage expectations regarding speed and precision in challenging scenarios. Image quality from the raw files is exceptional, delivering sharp, detailed results and good dynamic range. JPEG processing, however, disappoints Frost, who finds colors and sharpening overly aggressive, suggesting Sigma has room to refine its image processing algorithms further.
The video capabilities stand out strongly, especially the 6K footage, which Frost finds impressively detailed and clean up to ISO 6400. The lack of stabilization makes lens-based stabilization essential for handheld filming, and the rolling shutter can be noticeable, though manageable. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
