Sigma SA-7 - A Low Cost Beginner SLR Camera. Review on Sigma SA-7

INTRODUCTION

Sigma offers the Sigma SA-7 as a highly effective SLR camera at a really budget price. I got to use it once when one of the camera shop owner load me a unit to try it out.

Besides good and affordable lenses, Sigma has also produce good and affordable SLR camera like the SA-7, SA-9 and the SA-5.

BUILD

The build of the SA-7 is considered okay for the price you are paying it for.

The camera don't look cheap at first look, and it feel good, like the Nikon N50, but cost much less.

FOCUSING

The SA-7 adopted an AF-cross sensor in the center of the viewfinder. Focus is fast and accurate when used with a Sigma EX 28-70 f2.8 lens.

The SA-7’s autofocus system also features a predictive AF function in the Continuous AF Mode, that lets the photographer capture a moving subject in sharp focus. This ensures optimum focus when taking pictures of subjects moving towards or away from you at constant speed. It function well when used to focus a moving car when tested.

EXPOSURE

The SA-7 employs 3 types of exposure meterings

1) TTL Multi 8 Segment

2) Partial Metering

3) Average

The TTL Multi 8 Segment metering mode is accurate for most shooting situation. As for exposure mode, the SA-7 provides Programmed Shift AE, Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, Manual, Full Auto Programs.

FEATURES

The SA-7 also provide the following features, which is very useful to photographers and are readily available in most higher priced SLR cameras.

1) Multiple Exposure up to 9 shots

2) Exposure Compensation

3) Exposure Bracketing

4) Build in TTL Flash of Guide No. 40

5) Depth of Field Preview

6) Timer

7) Mirror Lock Up

8) Viewfinder Information

9) Diopter Correction -1.5 to +1.5

Basically the SA-7 and the SA-9 have basically the same functions. The advantage of the SA-9 is that it has a fast film winding speed of 3 fps. It also provide a faster shutter speed ranging from 30s to 1/8000s which is useful for fast sports action photography.

LENS

The Sigma SA-7 uses its unique Sigma SA Mount.

The Sigma SA-7 is readily supported by a wide range of more than 40 types of lenses of both standard and zoom lenses.

Personally, I have no confident with the Sigma lenses, though they are often priced much lower than the Nikon or Canon lenses.

QUALITY TEST

I tried the both the SA-7 and SA-9 on the same occasion, when one of the camera shops own requested me to try out his 2 sample units.

The control and layout for both camera is well placed ergonomically. The feel is good, but feel very much plastic.

Using it's multi-segment metering for majority of my test, the picture comes out alright.

For those who are into macro-photography, the mirror lockup capability will be very useful, I tried it out, together with a Manfrotto 055 tripod and the image is very sharp.

There are basically not much different between the SA-7 and the SA-9, except for the fact that the SA-9 have a faster shutter speed as well as a higher fps. I am not so much into this sort of fast action photography, and I hate to freeze up action. Blurred sports action do have a better effects as it clearly review the direction and speed of motion.

In any case, in my opinions, this 2 SLR bodies are good bodies. The only thing that will stop me of investing on this is most properly I am a Nikon user, as well as the poor (in my opinion only) lenses.

SUMMARY

This is no doubt a good camera with a very affordable price, and are supported at the same time with a wide good and affordable Sigma lenses. But if you are really into quality optic, you should look elsewhere.

If you are a beginner who just want to have fun with a cheap SLR camera set, this is the best option available in the market now.